JOSHUA SPEAKS OUT AFTER LOSING TWO CLOSE FRIENDS

By: Gyang Dakwo

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has paid a heartfelt tribute to two of his close friends who died in a car accident in Nigeria last month, promising to do what is right for their families and for the team they helped build.

Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries in the crash. However, the accident claimed the lives of his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and his trainer, Latif Latz Ayodele.

The tragic loss happened just weeks after Joshua defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami. That victory kept him on course for a potential clash later this year against fellow Briton and rival Tyson Fury. But the accident has now placed a question mark over those plans.

In his first video since the incident, Joshua spoke on his official YouTube channel as he reached out to fans across the world.

He said, “This is the best way to reach out to you all, far and wide, worldwide, who are showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina.”

He recalled the optimism that surrounded his career before the accident and explained how quickly everything changed.

“The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami, we had so many plans to wrap up 2025, and we were on a mission. We were on a mission, we went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped upside down on its head.”

Joshua struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on the loss of the two men he described as brothers. “Yeah, it’s a shame, it’s a shame,” he said.

He went on to speak about life, loss, and faith, and how the experience has affected him deeply.

“One day, my time will come, and I’m not scared at all. It’s actually comforting knowing that I’ve got two brothers on the other side. I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right, you know?”

Joshua also spoke about the responsibility he now feels and the role his late friends played in his journey.

“Throughout this journey I have been on, it’s not easy, and I didn’t even realise that I’m the big guy, you know what I mean, but I was walking with giants, men that kept me protected, kept me shielded, but I understand my duty.”

He explained that his focus is now on honoring their wishes and supporting their families. “I understand what they wanted to do for their families, so what my goal is, is to continue to help them achieve their goals.”

Joshua ended with a clear promise about his next steps. “It’s just about doing what is right, and I know I am going to do what is right by them. I know what I have to do. I’m going to do what is right by them, do what is right by their family, and it is about what is important.”

Before the accident, Joshua had been preparing for a blockbuster all-British showdown with Fury. This week, Fury announced his return to the ring and is scheduled to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, with the fight set to be shown on Netflix.