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Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has emotionally reflected on the deaths of two of his closest friends who lost their lives in a fatal car accident, describing the experience as one that has yet to fully register with him.
Joshua shared the painful account during an intimate conversation with UFC star Kamaru Usman, a moment captured in a YouTube video released by Usman on Wednesday. The discussion took place while the boxer was still hospitalised and recovering from injuries sustained in the crash, just days before a major mixed martial arts event held in Lagos on December 30.
The accident occurred on December 29 along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and involved a black Lexus vehicle. While Joshua survived the crash, two members of his inner circle, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, tragically lost their lives at the scene. Reports indicated that the boxer was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Duchess International Hospital, where he received urgent medical care.
In the video footage, Joshua was seen lying in a hospital treatment room, with visible bandages wrapped around his head and upper body. Despite his physical injuries, the emotional weight of the tragedy appeared even heavier as he spoke candidly about the loss.
When Usman asked about where the deceased were seated in the vehicle at the time of the crash, Joshua responded quietly but firmly, saying, “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.”
The statement underscored the depth of shock the boxer is still grappling with, as he admitted that the reality of losing his friends had not fully dawned on him.
Usman, visibly moved by Joshua’s account, offered his sympathy and highlighted the global concern that followed the news of the accident. “I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now,” he said.
Joshua went on to reflect on the unpredictability and fragility of life, noting how quickly circumstances can change. “Life is short, man. Life is short. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time,” he added, referencing his unexpected meeting with Usman amid such tragic circumstances.
Responding to Joshua’s comment, Usman acknowledged the irony of the situation and expressed gratitude that Joshua survived the ordeal. “I know. It’s a funny way of how things move, you know? We thank God,” he said.
The former UFC welterweight champion also touched on the overwhelming public reaction to the accident, noting how moments of crisis often reveal the depth of support surrounding public figures. “You scared the world. It’s crazy because, obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bull**** every time, and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you,” Usman remarked.
Since the incident, Joshua has been discharged from the hospital and has returned to the United Kingdom to continue his recovery. While he has largely remained out of the public eye, the boxer broke his silence on Sunday with a heartfelt social media post.
He shared a photograph of himself standing alongside the families of the late Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, offering visible comfort and solidarity. The image was accompanied by a brief but powerful caption: “My Brother’s Keeper.”
The gesture resonated with fans and followers, many of whom praised Joshua for standing by the bereaved families during an unimaginably difficult time. As he continues to heal physically and emotionally, the boxer’s words and actions have reflected a man still processing profound loss while holding tightly to gratitude for life.
Watch him speak below:
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