Anthony Joshua has spoken publicly for the primary time following a tragic street accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two shut pals and members of his crew.
The previous heavyweight world champion, who sustained minor accidents within the crash, has since been discharged from hospital and returned to the UK.
The incident occurred on Monday alongside the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.
Joshua was travelling in an SUV with 4 different passengers when the car reportedly suffered a tyre burst and collided with a stationary lorry.
Two of Joshua’s shut pals and health coaches, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, had been killed within the crash.
On Sunday, the 36-year-old boxer broke his silence by sharing pictures on Instagram exhibiting himself with the bereaved relations of the deceased.
He accompanied the submit with the caption: “My Brother’s Keeper,” a short however emotional message reflecting his grief and solidarity with the households.
The tragedy got here lower than two weeks after Joshua’s return to the ring, the place he secured a sixth-round knockout victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, Florida.
The win marked a return to successful methods following his defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 and reignited discussions a couple of potential long-awaited bout with Tyson Fury.
Earlier within the week, Joshua’s spokesperson launched an official assertion confirming the deaths of Ayodele and Ghami. The assertion described each males as “shut pals and integral members of Anthony’s crew” and appealed for privateness for the households as they mourned their loss.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, additionally confirmed the incident, stating that the boxer was taken to hospital for checks and remedy after sustaining accidents within the crash.
They added that he was in a secure situation and later discharged after medical assessments.
The Ogun State Authorities supplied additional particulars, confirming that Joshua and one other passenger had been evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
In line with the authorities, docs carried out complete scientific assessments and confirmed that each sufferers had been secure and didn’t require emergency medical intervention.
Whereas investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, tributes have continued to pour in for Ayodele and Ghami, who had been extensively thought to be key figures behind Joshua’s profession and private life.
Joshua’s return to the UK marks the start of a interval of mourning and restoration for the boxer, who has requested for privateness as he and the affected households proceed to come back to phrases with the devastating loss.
