“The Hurt Never Leaves” – “AJ”  Shares Gut-Wrenching Story of Friends’ Deaths in Emotional Moment With Kamaru Usman

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has recounted the tragic deaths of two of his close friends following a fatal car crash in an emotional conversation with UFC star Kamaru Usman.

The conversation, shared in a YouTube video posted by Usman, took place while Joshua was recovering from injuries sustained in the accident and ahead of an MMA event held in Lagos on December 30.

Joshua survived a crash on December 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway which claimed the lives of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. The boxer was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Duchess International Hospital for treatment.

According to DailyMail, in the video, Joshua, seen inside a treatment room with bandages on his head and torso, told Usman that the reality of the loss had yet to fully sink in.

Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, questioned whether Ghami and Ayodele had been seated in the front of the black Lexus when it crashed.

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Joshua replied, ‘One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet’.

‘I’m sorry for that man. Hey, you scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now,’ Usman responded.

‘Life is short man, life is short,’ Joshua said. ‘And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time’.

‘I know. It’s a funny way of moving things, you know?,’ We thank God UFC star Usman replied.

‘You scared the world. It’s crazy because obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bull**** each and every time and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you’.

Following his discharge from hospital, Joshua has since returned to the United Kingdom.

On Sunday, Joshua broke his silence with a post across his social media platforms, sharing a photograph of himself with the families of the deceased. He captioned the image, “My Brother’s Keeper”.

The image, posted across his social media pages, shows the former heavyweight champion standing in solidarity with the bereaved families, offering visible support during a moment of grief.

Somber Sunday in London: Funeral for Joshua’s Friends to Be Held at Mosque

Anthony Joshua: The Janaza (funeral) prayer for Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif “Latz” Ayodele, close friends and team members of boxing star Anthony Joshua, is set to take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in London.

The bodies of Ghami and Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom following the fatal road crash in Nigeria that claimed their lives. The service is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the London Central Mosque, located at 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG.

A statement from Boxing King Media, shared on Saturday, confirmed the arrangements and extended condolences: “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.”

Ghami, Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer, tragically died in a car accident on December 29, 2025. Joshua, who was also involved in the crash, escaped with minor injuries. The accident occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck.

The London funeral will provide family, friends, and members of the boxing community an opportunity to pay their final respects to the two men who played key roles in Joshua’s career.

A Boxing King Media representative added, “Sina and Latz were more than colleagues—they were family to AJ. Their dedication, passion, and friendship will never be forgotten.”

Saudi Bout 2026: Anthony Joshua Has Been Approached for a Shock Next Fight Against a Kickboxing Legend, Promoter Eddie Hearn Reveals

Anthony Joshua is coming off a sixth-round knockout of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami – but a return in Riyadh is already on the cards in early 2026.

And Hearn confirmed reports that kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven – who is 1-0 as a boxer and unbeaten in TEN YEARS – is a potential opponent.

He said on Ariel Helwani’s show: “Rico is a fight that has been mentioned by certain people.

“We’re straight forward, ultimately, we will field offers. We can do with a fight that will prepare us for Tyson Fury— which is a difficult thing to do style-wise — so we might look at other opponents as well.

“But we’re open at the moment.”

Joshua, 36, was in line to return as early as February 14 but after two months in camp and six rounds with Paul, 28, it could be delayed until March.

Verhoeven, 36, won his one and only boxing bout in 2014 and has not lost in the kickboxing ring since 2015.

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The Dutchman’s last bout was in June, beating Russian Artem Vakhitov, 34, on points.

Joshua’s knockout win over Paul, 28, was watched by 33 MILLION viewers on Netflix as Hearn hailed him the sport’s biggest star.

He said: “This changes everything. People don’t like it when I say, AJ was already arguably the biggest star in boxing.

“Now, by far the biggest star in boxing. Right now, there is absolutely no question that Anthony Joshua is the biggest star in world boxing.

“But how does that strategy change moving forward, particularly in the American market?

“Because I know how personable he is, how likeable he is, his brand has just been so easy to build with all his attributes over the years.

“And we can do the same in America, it’s a big market.”

‘Fight Them or Be Exposed’- Anthony Joshua Drops Two SHOCK Names for Jake Paul’s Next Bout”

Despite knocking him out in the sixth round, and breaking his jaw in two places in the process, Anthony Joshua was left rather impressed by Jake Paul’s grit and determination when the two shared the ring together in Miami, Florida, on the 19th of December.

In a highly controversial fight that was streamed live on Netflix, The Problem Child, who used to be a Disney star and is still a YouTuber, took on former two-time world heavyweight champion, AJ, in a crossover bout that stunned the combat sport world.

Unsurprisingly, Joshua was the heavy favourite heading into the fight, but he made hard work of it, failing to get the American out of there until round six… just two rounds before the fight would’ve gone the distance.

Paul used the early rounds to avoid the Brit, which is no surprise really, but once fatigue set in, he was a sitting duck, which in the end resulted in him hitting the canvas for a fifth and final time in the sixth round.

Speaking in his post-fight press conference, Joshua was full of praise for his controversial opponent, highlighting how much respect he has for him for actually stepping into the ring in the first place.

Up until fighting AJ, Paul had only really faced veterans of the combat sport world or people who simply weren’t boxers, bar Tommy Fury, who he lost to, so Joshua was complimentary of the YouTuber for agreeing to fight him and then actually going through with it.

“Jake has spirit,” he said.

“He has some heart. He tried his best, and I take my hat off to him because No. 1, a lot of fighters haven’t got in the ring with me, and Jake did. Secondly, even when he got knocked down, he kept on trying to get up, and I take my hat off to him.”

Obviously, due to sustaining a broken jaw, Paul will have to spend some time on the sidelines, but AJ is fully backing him to make a return to the ring in 2026, and has even picked out two potential opponents for him.

Anthony Joshua used his post-fight presser to send a message to America about Paul, and said that if he really wants to make a dent in boxing, he could do if his heart remains in it.

“So, America, I think you have someone who could potentially — if he still has the heart for it — come back again, dust the dust off his shoulder and come again and maybe sell out this place sometime in 2026.

Continuing, Joshua then mentioned two possible opponents for Paul in his return fight, stating: “Maybe against a Gervonta Davis, a Ryan Garcia, who knows.”

For now, Jake Paul will have to rest up and recover from his broken jaw, but it’s clear he’s left a positive lasting impression on Anthony Joshua. They will now go their separate ways, with the latter eyeing up Tyson Fury in 2026, while maybe we’ll see the former in the ring again next year as well, possibly against either Davis or Garcia.

The Wait Is Over: Joshua Finally Opens Up as Details of the Fury Fight Deal Are Revealed

Anthony Joshua: After months of speculation, rumors, and growing frustration among boxing fans, Anthony Joshua has finally broken his silence on the much-anticipated fight agreement with fellow heavyweight superstar Tyson Fury. The potential clash between two of Britain’s biggest boxing icons has dominated headlines for years, but repeated delays, failed negotiations, and public disagreements had left many doubting whether the fight would ever happen. Now, Joshua’s comments have reignited hope that the long-awaited showdown may finally be within reach.

For a long time, Joshua remained noticeably quiet while talk of the Fury fight swirled around him. Promoters, pundits, and even Fury himself filled the airwaves with claims and counterclaims, often accusing the other side of delaying the deal. Fans grew impatient, questioning who was truly responsible for the hold-up. Joshua’s silence only added to the mystery, allowing speculation to run wild across social media and sports news platforms.

That silence has now been broken.

Speaking openly, Joshua addressed the situation and made it clear that he has always been willing to face Fury, emphasizing that his focus has been on getting the right agreement in place. Without getting drawn into insults or blame, Joshua suggested that negotiations in modern boxing are complex, involving multiple parties, financial considerations, and timing issues. His calm and measured tone stood in contrast to the heated exchanges that have often surrounded the proposed fight.

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Joshua’s comments have been widely interpreted as a signal that progress has been made behind the scenes. While no official date or venue has been confirmed, his willingness to speak publicly has been taken as a sign that discussions are no longer stalled. For fans, this represents a major shift, as silence is often seen as a sign of deadlock, while openness suggests movement toward a final agreement.

The potential Joshua-Fury fight is more than just another boxing match. It is a cultural event, one that would bring together two unbeaten-at-their-peak narratives, contrasting personalities, and massive global audiences. Joshua, known for his disciplined approach and Olympic pedigree, represents power, professionalism, and structure. Fury, on the other hand, embodies unpredictability, charisma, and resilience, having returned from personal struggles to reclaim the top of the heavyweight division. A clash between the two would not only determine bragging rights but also settle debates that have divided boxing fans for years.

Joshua also acknowledged the fans during his remarks, recognizing their patience and passion. He admitted that he understands the disappointment caused by repeated delays and assured supporters that his intention has always been to deliver the biggest and best fights possible. This acknowledgment has helped rebuild trust among fans who feared the bout might never materialize.

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Industry insiders believe that Joshua speaking out at this stage is strategic. By publicly addressing the situation, he applies subtle pressure on all parties involved to finalize the deal. It also shifts the narrative, moving it away from rumors and toward accountability. In the high-stakes world of heavyweight boxing, perception matters almost as much as performance, and Joshua’s statement has reshaped how the public views the negotiations.

While uncertainty still remains, one thing is clear: the conversation has changed. Joshua’s silence is no longer an obstacle, and the possibility of facing Tyson Fury feels more real now than it has in a long time. Whether the fight is officially announced soon or still faces further hurdles, fans can take comfort in knowing that the door is firmly open.

For now, the boxing world waits once again—but this time with renewed belief. With Joshua finally speaking out and the long-awaited Fury fight deal coming into clearer view, the stage appears set for one of the biggest heavyweight battles of this generation.

Anthony Joshua Issues Fierce Demand for the Fight ‘More Than Anything’ — Eddie Hearn Reveals Ruthless Masterplan to Finally Conquer Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua wants “biggest fight in the sport” with Tyson Fury; Fury has now indicated he wants to box again next year; Promoter Eddie Hearn outlines the plan that would lead Joshua to Fury – a fight in February first but there’s a chance he could box before the end of 2025

Plans are being set in place that could lead Anthony Joshua to “the biggest fight in the sport” with Tyson Fury.

Fury, who has sat out the entirety of 2025, has indicated that he does want to box again next year.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has welcomed Fury’s expected return

“It’s exactly what everybody wanted to hear,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “The thing that AJ wants more than anything, is to fight Tyson Fury.

“That is the biggest fight in the sport… I’m hopeful.

“The only thing that is close to that level [for Joshua] is to win the world heavyweight championship again, which is a big motivation for him.”

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua Ready to Risk It All in a High-Stakes War Against

The showdown with Fury would be next summer, with Joshua boxing at least once, but possibly twice, before then.

There’s a “small chance” Joshua could box before the end of this year and he will fight early in 2026, potentially in February.

“The plan’s very important,” Hearn said. “The most important thing is making sure he’s 110 per cent confident and ready to beat Tyson Fury. We need to be able to plan that for AJ to make sure that he’s in the best place possible for what will be the biggest moment of his career, I believe.

“If he fights this year, that will be a pure run out. It won’t be a top 15 guy,” the promoter continued. “He’s either going to have those two fights before Tyson Fury, if that can get made, or he’s going to have the one fight in February.

“We haven’t really decided yet but he’s keen to get active.”

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Fury would, in all likelihood, have a tune-up bout himself too. That could be a risk. Previous contests with Otto Wallin, for instance, and Francis Ngannou were warm-ups for bigger fights that turned out to be trickier than anticipated.

But Hearn reflected: “If he can’t win the tune-up, then he shouldn’t be getting in the ring [with AJ].

“We want both guys firing on all cylinders to give the public the best version of them and if we can’t get the best version of them, then maybe we don’t do the fight.

“What we don’t want is two guys who have been out for a year and a half, getting in there and they’re both a little bit rusty.

“We need to allow these guys, who have been out of the ring for a long time, to be at their absolute pomp when they meet each other.”

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Dave Allen could put himself into consideration as a potential opponent for Joshua ahead of the Fury fight, if the Doncaster man can beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday.

“All I’m saying is a victory would probably put him in that top 20, top 15 in the world, which he already is with the WBA and we’re going to be picking from a list like that. And he’s British. And he’s very popular. I don’t know who it would be [for the AJ warm-up],” Hearn said.

“I don’t think there’s one heavyweight in the world, outside of Oleksandr Usyk, that you couldn’t match Dave Allen with if he wins on Saturday.

“I even put Anthony Joshua into that mix, I put Tyson Fury into that mix because they’re two guys that are going to be having a ‘comeback’ fight. [Moses] Itauma, Derek Chisora, Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder, Agit Kabayel, Zhilei Zhang.”