Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has spoken about the emotional impact of losing two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who died in a road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Motorway on December 29.
Joshua survived the crash and was pulled from the wreckage before being rushed to hospital for treatment. In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, the boxer described the loss as deeply painful, noting that the tragedy was even more devastating for the families of the deceased.
“Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” Joshua wrote.
“I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.
“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents ❤️ I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”
In the aftermath of the accident, Joshua is reportedly considering retirement from professional boxing. According to The Punch, the 36-year-old boxer privately informed his family of the decision.
Confirming the development, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, said the news brought relief to family members who have long endured the emotional strain of his boxing career.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” he said.
He added that watching Joshua fight had become increasingly distressing for the family.
“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us,” he said.
