Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has spoken emotionally about the tragic loss of two of his close friends who died in a fatal car accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua shared the painful experience during a heartfelt conversation with UFC star Kamaru Usman in a video posted on Usman’s YouTube channel on Wednesday. The discussion took place while the boxer was still recovering from injuries sustained in the crash and shortly before an MMA event held in Lagos on December 30.
The accident occurred on December 29 and claimed the lives of Joshua’s friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua survived the crash and was pulled from the wreckage before being rushed to Duchess International Hospital, where he received medical care for his injuries.
Footage from the video showed the visibly injured boxer lying in a treatment room, with bandages wrapped around his head and torso, as he reflected on the tragedy. Joshua admitted that the reality of losing his friends had yet to fully sink in.
“It still hasn’t hit me yet,” he said quietly, describing the emotional numbness that followed the incident.
During the conversation, Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, asked about the seating arrangement inside the black Lexus at the time of the crash. Joshua explained that one of the victims was seated in the front, while the other was behind the driver on the right side.
“One was in the front and one was behind him on the right side. They both passed away,” Joshua said.
Reacting, Usman expressed sympathy, noting the shock the incident sent across the sporting world. “I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world,” he told Joshua.
Reflecting on the fragility of life, Joshua responded, “Life is short, man. Life is short. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time.”
Usman replied, “It’s a funny way how things move. We thank God.”
The UFC star also spoke about how the incident drew widespread attention and concern for Joshua. “It’s crazy because we deal with the haters and all the nonsense all the time, but it takes something serious like this to really see how many people are watching and care about you,” he added.
Following his discharge from the hospital, Joshua has since returned to the United Kingdom to continue his recovery.
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