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Anthony Joshua says he’s not afraid of death after losing two close friends

Anthony Joshua has opened up about his resilience in the face of tragedy after losing two of his closest friends in a devastating car accident in Nigeria.

In a heartfelt social media video, the British heavyweight champion thanked fans worldwide for their support during the difficult period.

Joshua mourns two close friends lost in Lagos crash

The 36-year-old former world champion sustained only minor injuries when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck on a major Lagos road on December 29.

Tragically, Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, his personal trainer, were pronounced dead at the scene.

In the six-minute clip, Joshua reflected on the loss, saying, “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.”

The trio had shared more than just a professional bond, living together and working closely. Joshua described their relationship as multifaceted, stating, “We became business partners. We became hustlers. We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything.”

He went on to acknowledge the broader impact of their deaths: “Not only did their parents, uncles, cousins, friends, and I lose two great men, we lost people who were central to our lives. It’s tough. It’s really tough.”

Boxer vows to support families while returning to training

Legal proceedings are underway, with Adeniyi Kayode, the 46-year-old driver of the Lexus SUV, charged with four offences including causing death by dangerous driving.

Despite the tragedy, Joshua has returned to training, sharing a video on Snapchat of himself hitting the pads with the caption “mental strength therapy.” 

The boxer also took time to thank those who supported him through the ordeal, including doctors at Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi, President Bola Tinubu, business moguls Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote, Senator Daisy Danjuma, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the governors of Lagos and Ogun states.

Watch the video below…