Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has made his first public statement since a fatal road accident in Nigeria claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members.
Naijaonpoint reports that Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash, which occurred on Monday, December 29, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
The 36-year-old boxer, who was discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve, returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday.
Joshua broke his silence on Sunday with a post shared across his social media platforms.
... featured a photograph of the former heavyweight champion standing alongside the families of the deceased, accompanied by the caption: “My Brother’s Keeper ❤️🕊️❤️.”
The image conveyed a message of grief, solidarity and support as the boxer mourns the loss of his longtime associates.
The accident occurred when Joshua’s SUV, carrying the boxer and three others, collided with a stationary truck reportedly due to brake failure.
Joshua narrowly escaped death after switching from the front passenger seat to the back seat shortly before the crash. The change was said to have been prompted by his size obstructing the driver’s view.
While his two friends died in the incident, Joshua sustained a leg fracture and was reported to be in stable condition. He did not require emergency medical intervention.
The boxer had only recently arrived in Nigeria for a holiday following his knockout victory over Jake Paul, when the tragic incident occurred.
Since returning to the UK, Joshua has remained out of the public eye, with Sunday’s post marking his first public acknowledgement of the tragedy.