Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has shared his first public message since being involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria earlier this week. The accident resulted in the tragic deaths of two of his close friends and team members.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The incident occurred on Monday near Lagos, when the vehicle carrying the British-Nigerian boxer collided with a stationary truck on a major road. Sina Ghami, Joshua's strength and conditioning coach, and Latif Ayodele, known as Latz and one of his trainers, both lost their lives in the crash. Joshua sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital. He was discharged on Wednesday and has since returned to the United Kingdom ahead of the funerals for his colleagues.
Joshua's First Public Statement
On Sunday, Joshua broke his silence by posting two images on his Instagram account. One photograph showed the boxer sitting with his mother and three other women. In a poignant tribute, one of the women in the photo held a picture of the late Sina Ghami. Joshua captioned the emotional post simply: "My Brothers Keeper."
The boxer was in Nigeria on holiday following his decisive sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami last December. Joshua was born in Watford to parents of Nigerian heritage.
Legal Proceedings Begin
In a development on Friday, Ogun state police confirmed that the driver of the car, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged in connection with the crash. The charges were filed at the Sagamu magistrates court. Joshua was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
The boxing world and fans have been offering their condolences to Joshua and the families of the deceased following the devastating news. This tragic event marks a sombre moment for the athlete's camp as they mourn the loss of key team members.
