Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says he is “not scared” of dying after his two close friends died in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State
Joshua was in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on the ever-busy highway on December 29, 2026.
The boxer’s backroom team members Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in the crash, while the boxer sustained minor injuries.
The British boxer was briefly hospitalised after the crash with a minor injury, returned to the United Kingdom in early January, and is continuing rehab for both physical and emotional recovery.
Speaking in a video shared on his social media accounts on Thursday night, Joshua spoke about life, faith, and responsibility in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Joshua said: “One day my time will come, and I’m not scared either at all.
“It’s actually comforting knowing that I’ve got two brothers on the other side.”
He added that the loss of personal trainer Ayodele and recovery therapist Ghami has hit him harder than anything before.
“I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right,” he said.
Anthony Joshua resumes training weeks after fatal car crash
Joshua said the pair had been constant presences throughout his journey, protecting and guiding him.
“I was walking with giants, man, that kept me protected, kept me shielded, but the mission must go on,” the boxer added.
He stated that their deaths have sharpened his sense of purpose, saying: “I understand my duty, I understand like what they wanted to do for their families, so what my goal is, is to continue to help them achieve their goals.”
Despite the grief, Joshua said he is focused on doing right by those they left behind.
“I’m gonna do what’s right by them. I’m gonna do what’s right by their family,” he said.
Joshua, who described Latz and Sina as far more than colleagues, disclosed that the trio lived together:
He said: “They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.
“We became housemates; we were living together.”
The boxer has spent recent weeks mourning while also returning to training for the sake of his mental health.
Latz, 36, was a childhood friend Joshua met at the age of 11.
Sina, also 36, was a key part of Joshua’s and had been in his corner for a fight in Miami just days before the road crash.
The trio were travelling to Joshua’s family home in the Sagamu area of Ogun State for New Year celebrations when the accident happened.
Joshua’s driver, Kayode Adeniyi has since appeared in court.
Adeniyi faces four charges including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid national licence.
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