Anthony Joshua Honors Friends Lost in Nigeria Crash
Boxer Anthony Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to two close friends who died in a December car crash that he survived. He's vowing to help their families achieve their dreams while processing his grief through training.
Anthony Joshua is finding strength in memory and purpose after surviving a devastating car crash that took the lives of two people closest to him.
The former world heavyweight champion posted a six-minute video thanking fans for their support following the December 29 crash in Nigeria. The collision with a stationary truck near Lagos killed his strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif 'Latz' Ayodele instantly. Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries.
"I've lost people before, but I don't think I've lost people like that," Joshua said in the video. "My left and my right."
The three men weren't just colleagues. They lived together, trained together, and built businesses side by side. Joshua described how their relationship evolved from professional to family.
"We became business partners. We became hustlers. We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything," he said.
Why This Inspires
Joshua's response to tragedy shows how grief can transform into purpose. Rather than retreating from public life, he's choosing to honor his friends by supporting their families.
He promised to help Ghami and Ayodele's parents, relatives, and loved ones "achieve their goals" and "fulfill their dreams." It's a commitment that extends his friends' legacies beyond their own lives.
"I'm sure their parents 100% are proud of them because I am," Joshua said.
The boxer has already returned to training, posting videos of himself hitting the pads with the caption "mental strength therapy." His promoter Eddie Hearn believes Joshua will return to the ring "when the time is right."
Joshua also reflected on mortality with unexpected peace. "One day my time will come and I'm not scared either at all," he said. "It's actually comforting knowing I got two brothers on the other side."
The driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Adeniyi Kayode, has been charged with four offenses including causing death by dangerous driving.
Through his grief, Joshua is showing that honoring those we've lost means carrying forward their impact on our lives.
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Based on reporting by BBC Sport
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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