British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua fought back tears as he spoke publicly about the pain of losing two close friends and key members of his training team in a tragic road accident in Nigeria.
In an emotional video shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, Joshua reflected on the fatal crash that occurred on December 29 along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which claimed the lives of Kevin Latif Ayodele, his longtime personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach.
Visibly shaken, the former world champion described the loss as deeply traumatic, noting that both men were not just colleagues but family to him, having played significant roles in his career and personal life.
Joshua said the sudden deaths had been difficult to process, admitting that the reality of the tragedy still weighs heavily on him weeks after the incident.
“I’m still trying to understand it all. These were people who were with me every day, who believed in me and pushed me to be better,” he said in the video.
He also pledged to “do right” by the families left behind, promising continued support and stating that he feels a strong sense of responsibility toward them.
“I’ll make sure I do right by their families. That’s something I owe them,” Joshua added, his voice breaking.
The accident on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway had sparked renewed conversations on road safety, as the highway is notorious for frequent crashes, often attributed to speeding, poor visibility, and heavy traffic.
Tributes have continued to pour in from fans, fellow athletes, and members of the boxing community, many of whom praised Ayodele and Ghami for their professionalism and contribution to Joshua’s success.
Joshua ended the video by urging people to value life, check on loved ones, and never take time together for granted.
