Anthony Joshua has spoken on camera for the first time since the accident that led to the deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Joshua was travelling with the pair when their vehicle collided with a truck on a busy road in Nigeria on 29 December.
‘AJ’ only received minor injuries, but Sina and Latz were tragically killed, leading to an outpouring of emotion from not just the boxing community but people around the world.
Posting on his YouTube channel, Joshua paid a heartfelt tribute to his close friends.
“So I’m here in front of a camera. Unfortunately, I’m not speaking to all of you people live. If you know my character, I’d much prefer to do that. But there’s what I want and then there’s reality. So this is the best way I could reach out to all of you far and wide, worldwide who were showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.
“The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami. We had so many plans to wrap up 2025 and we were on a mission. We went back home, went to see our families and everything just got flipped upside on its head.
“That was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our controls. Not only did I not even want to talk about myself, not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends, and myself lose two great men. We lost people that we dearly care about and have been like major players in all of our lives.”
Joshua had to fight back the tears as he continued with his tribute.
“It’s tough. It’s really tough. I’m not going to sit here and show all of my emotions. I know in today’s day and age, it’s easy to micro analyze people and pass judgment, but I know what I feel and that’s all that matters to me. I know what my duty is.
“They’re my brothers. They’re my friends first and foremost. Then we became business partners. We became hustlers. We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything. We became housemates. We were living together.
“One day my time will come and I’m not scared either at all. It’s actually comforting knowing I got two brothers on the other side. I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right throughout this journey that I’ve been on. I was walking with giants that kept me protected, kept me shielded.”
Joshua then explained how he will continue to honour their legacy.
“The mission must go on. I understand my duty. I understand what they wanted to do for their families. So what my goal is is to continue to help them achieve their goals.
“Even though they may not be here in the physical, when I pray at night, when I pray in the morning, I know spiritually they’re going to aid me through because it’s not just physical strength that will get me through. It’s going to take a lot a lot of strength from the higher power.
“I’m going to definitely be saying my prayers and I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families. Not only me, there’s a whole team of us, a whole brotherhood, a whole sisterhood that will be helping fulfill their legacy and fulfill their dreams. But I know in my corner of the world, I know what I’m going to be doing.
“I know I got to do what’s right for them. I’m going to do what’s right by their family. It’s about what’s important to me, and they’re very important players, very important team members, very important friends and two of my brothers.
“I don’t think I mentioned the love and appreciation. It’s all acknowledged by me, by them, by their families. 100% we acknowledged the thousands and maybe going into millions around the world that showed so much love to them both.
“We know what we’re going to do. Mom, Mama Latz, Mama Sina, Papa Latz, Papa Sina, one love. This message is not only on behalf of me. This is on behalf of their families. We appreciate you so much. Thank you for the love worldwide. Continue. Don’t let it stop. And for anyone out there that’s lost a son, a brother, one love to you. From us to you, we’re sending that love straight back.”
Joshua understandably didn’t provide an update on his boxing future, as first and foremost he continues to take the time he needs to process the loss of his two dear friends.
