Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his two close friends killed in a car cash in Nigeria last year.
In an emotional video posted on social media, the 36-year-old boxer, who sustained minor injuries in the collision, called the two men “my left and my right” and said he had been through a “tragic, traumatic time”.
Joshua was travelling in the back of a black SUV when it struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on 29 December, killing Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
The two-time world champion had been on holiday with his friends following his knockout victory over US YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.
Mr Ghami, who had been part of Joshua’s team for more than a decade, was a strength and conditioning coach specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
Mr Ayodele, an old friend of the boxer, was a personal trainer.
“We went back home, went to see our families and everything just got flipped upside on its head,” Joshua said in the video.
“That was such an unforeseen circumstance, that was out of all our control.
“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 major players in all of our lives.”
Joshua described Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele as “my brothers” and admitted that while he has “lost people before”, he had not “lost people like that”.
“It’s tough. It’s really tough,” he added.
“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-analyse people and pass judgement. I know what I feel and that’s what matters to me. I know what my duty is. They’re my brothers, they’re my friends, first and foremost.
“I’ve lost people before. But I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right… They were very important team members, very important friends and two of my brothers.
“I’m the big guy but I was walking with giants that kept me protected, kept me shielded.”
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Joshua also said he would support their families and thanked people for their tributes.
“My goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals.
“I’m going to do what’s right by them, I’m going to do what’s right by their family.
“I still can’t get my head around, just my two friends, just how popular [they are]. We just grew up together. I’ve known them as my friends but they built such strong characters over the years.
“I’m sure their parents are 100% are proud of them because I am.
“Thank you for the love worldwide. For anyone out there that’s lost a son, a brother, one love to you.”
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Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence in connection with the crash.
Kayode appeared at Sagamu Magistrate Court, in southwestern Ogun State, earlier this month.
The case was adjourned until 25 February at the prosecution’s request.
