Boxing champion Anthony Joshua has spoken out for the first time about the fatal Nigeria car crash that killed two of his closest friends, hinting he will continue his career
Anthony Joshua has dropped hints that he plans to carry on boxing in the wake of the devastating car crash that killed two of his closest friends.
The heavyweight champion was caught up in the horrific crash that took the lives of Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami in Nigeria earlier this month. Joshua walked away from the wreckage with only minor injuries. The driver behind the wheel has since appeared before a Nigerian court facing charges including causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the tragedy, speculation swirled that the fighter was considering hanging up his gloves. Those rumours were later shot down.
Now, speaking in a clip posted to his YouTube channel, Joshua has dropped the clearest indication yet about his boxing future.
“I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right. The mission must go on… I understand my duty,” he said.
He added: “I know what we’re going to do to continue – I don’t want to say ‘legacy’ – because I had a lot of those questions during my fight in Miami.
“‘How does this affect your legacy?’ It ain’t about legacy, it’s about doing what’s right and I know I’m going to do what’s right for them. I know what I’ve got to do.
“I’m going to do what’s right by them and what’s right by their family.”
In the video, titled “My Brothers Keeper For Life”, he speaks for just over six minutes and appears visibly moved. He reflected on what his mates had meant to him.
“Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose like two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about,” he said.
“[They were] major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives, it’s tough, it’s really tough.”
Struggling to hold back his emotions, he continued: “They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.”
This marks the first occasion Joshua has publicly addressed the tragic accident.
His other previous public statement came via social media on the morning of his mates’ funerals.
He shared two photographs on his Instagram story featuring his mother alongside three other women, with one clutching a picture of Ghami, accompanied by the caption: “My Brothers Keeper.”