Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele following their deaths in a car crash in Nigeria.
The British heavyweight was with Ghami and Ayodele when the vehicle they were travelling in struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on Dec. 29.
The 36-year-old was taken to hospital before being discharged and flying home to the UK ahead of the funerals of Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, one of his trainers.
“Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” Joshua posted on Instagram.
“I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.
“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”
Last Friday, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was driving the car with Joshua as a passenger, had been charged over the crash.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was on holiday in the African country following his sixth-round knockout win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on Dec. 19.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has said Joshua will need time and privacy after the accident.
“There will be no conversations from us about a career, any move, what’s next,” Hearn told TalkSport.
“Anthony is going to need his own time physically and emotionally. Let’s give him his time and pray for him.”