Boxing champion Anthony Joshua has spoken out for the first time since a fatal car accident in Nigeria which claimed the lives of his two close friends
James Evans Boxing and MMA Trends Writer and Kirstie McCrum
10:58, 04 Jan 2026Updated 10:58, 04 Jan 2026
Anthony Joshua has posted for the first time since the crash(Image: AnthonyJoshua/Instagram)
Anthony Joshua has broken his silence for the first time after a devastating car accident that tragically killed two of his closest friends.
The 36 year old was travelling as a passenger in the rear of a black SUV when it collided with a stationary lorry on a main road near Lagos in Nigeria last Monday (December 29). Whilst Joshua miraculously escaped death, the crash tragically took the lives of both Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
‘AJ’ had remained in hospital for several days before being discharged on New Year’s Eve.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion returned to the UK on Friday (January 2) and shared a photograph on social media showing himself with his mother, alongside relatives of his deceased friends, with the caption “My Brothers’ Keeper”. The funerals for Joshua’s friends are taking place in London today, though it remains uncertain whether the boxer will be present due to concerns his attendance could transform the occasion into a “circus”.
Joshua and his mother Yeta Odusanya visited both Ayodele and Ghami at a funeral parlour on Wednesday afternoon prior to their bodies being brought back to the UK.
A statement issued at the time said: “Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home.”, reports the Mirror.
On Friday, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that Joshua’s chauffeur Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, had been formally charged at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, with proceedings postponed until January 20.
He faces charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence.
“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 46, was charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court today, 2nd January 2026 and the case has been adjourned to 20th January, 2026,” read a statement posted on the force’s official X account.
Last week it also came to light that Joshua had originally occupied the front passenger seat but was requested by the driver to relocate to the rear, a decision that potentially saved his life.
Following the driver’s formal charging, his legal representative told the Daily Mail: “My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.
“I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats. He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.”
The tragic incident occurred just days after Joshua delivered a devastating knockout victory upon his return to boxing. ‘AJ’ defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami, earning £70million from the bout.
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The British fighter had been scheduled to return to action next month before facing Tyson Fury later this summer.
Nevertheless, his boxing career now remains uncertain, with promoter Frank Warren acknowledging that a potential bout might not materialise until late 2026 – if at all. Fury’s promoter Warren confessed he’s unsure what lies ahead for both fighters following the devastating incident – and has now dismissed any possibility of them clashing as early as 2026.
“Well, boxing will certainly be the last thing on his [Joshua’s] mind, right now. He’s obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him. I don’t know the extent of his injuries, but it’s also how mentally this will affect him. Boxing again will be the last thing on his mind, but tragedy can affect people in different ways; sometimes, you need something you can really focus on to pull through to the other side.”
On Tuesday, mourners leaving tributes outside Joshua’s coach’s gym suggested it would be challenging for the Brit to continue his boxing career. Floral tributes were placed outside Evolve Gym in Colindale, north west London, which belonged to ‘AJ’s’ mate Ghami who perished in the crash.
Agash Satkunarajah, 26, from Harrow, who knew Sina, spent several minutes observing the tributes.
He said: “It’s quite devastating to see that they went for a holiday and never came home. For AJ I just don’t know where this takes him. I think mentally he’s going to be broken. AJ used to come here and prepare for his fights.
“He was a close friend of Sina’s. Sina was his very good friend, but he was also his strength and conditioning coach so I think it will be very difficult for him to continue when two of the most important people in your boxing career have passed away sadly.”