Anthony Joshua Recounts Loss Of Friends In Emotional Conversation With Kamaru Usman

Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has spoken emotionally about the deaths of two of his close friends who were killed in a fatal car crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria last month.

Joshua shared the experience during a conversation with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, which was posted on a YouTube video by Usman. The discussion took place while the boxer was still recovering from injuries sustained in the accident and ahead of an MMA event held in Lagos on December 30.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the crash occurred on December 29 and claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who were travelling with Joshua in a black Lexus jeep. The boxer survived the incident and was pulled from the wreckage before being rushed to Duchess International Hospital, where he received treatment.

In the video, Joshua was seen inside a treatment room with bandages on his head and torso. Speaking to Usman, he said the reality of losing his friends had not yet fully sunk in.

Responding to Usman’s question about where the victims were seated in the vehicle, Joshua said, “One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet.”

Usman expressed sympathy, telling the boxer, “I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now.”

Reflecting on the incident, Joshua said, “Life is short, man, life is short. And now, look, I get to speak with you for the first time.” Usman replied, thanking God for Joshua’s survival and noting the global concern the incident generated.

Following his discharge from the hospital, Joshua has since returned to the United Kingdom.

On Sunday, the former heavyweight champion broke his silence on social media, sharing a photograph of himself with the families of the deceased. He captioned the post, “My Brother’s Keeper,” as he stood in solidarity with them during their moment of grief.