‘IT’S REALLY TOUGH’ Anthony Joshua fights back tears as he opens up about ‘traumatic’ death of his ‘brothers’ in crash
Anthony Joshua : The British boxing great, 36, shared a video to his YouTube detailing the last 31 days of his life since the deadly Nigerian accident as he praised his fans for their support.
AJ’s personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami both lost their lives in the fatal smash on December 29.
Joshua has spent the past few weeks mourning the death of his fallen friends and made the brave decision to return to training for the sake of his mental wellbeing.
In the days following the tragedy, the heavyweight was hospitalised for treatment on a minor injury.
He returned to the UK at the start of January and is continuing to complete rehab on both his physical issues and mental scars.
Speaking out for the first time at length about the past month, Joshua thanked fans around the world for their support as he opened up on the scale of the loss.
He said: “I could reach out to all of you far and wide, worldwide who are showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.”
Joshua explained how the trip had started with optimism before everything changed in an instant.
He added: “We had so many plans to wrap up 2025, and we were on a mission… We went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped upside on its head.”
Fighting back tears, Joshua described the devastation felt by those closest to the pair, admitting the grief has been overwhelming.
He said: “Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose like two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about.”
Joshua continued: “[They were] major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives, it’s tough, it’s really tough.”
The former heavyweight champion spoke emotionally about the bond they shared, describing them as family rather than colleagues.
He said: “They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.”
Joshua revealed the trio lived together and had built their lives side by side, both personally and professionally.
He said: “We became housemates, we were living together.”
In one of the most poignant moments of the video, Joshua reflected on mortality and found comfort in the belief that they are still with him.
He said: “One day my time will come, and I’m not scared either at all. It’s actually comforting knowing that I’ve got two brothers on the other side.”
Joshua admitted the loss was unlike anything he had experienced before.
He said: “I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right.”
The boxer said he now feels a responsibility to carry on their work and support their families.
He said: “The mission must go on… I understand my duty.”
Joshua added: “I’m gonna do what’s right by them. I’m gonna do what’s right by their family.”
He closed by thanking supporters again and acknowledging the scale of the response following the tragedy.
He said: “I still can’t get my head around like just my two friends… how popular, like that’s mad to me.”
Joshua finished with a message of love to grieving families everywhere, adding: “For anyone out there that’s lost a son, a brother, one love to you.”
Joshua is continuing to rebuild his life without two of his best pals who had been by his side for years.
Latz, 36, was a childhood friend of Joshua’s who the former boxing champion met when he was just 11.
And Sina, 36, was a vital part of his team who could be seen in Joshua’s corner for his bout with Jake Paul in Miami just days before the crash.
The trio were on holiday together after having just arrived in Nigeria and were on their way to AJ’s family home for New Year celebrations.
Joshua attended the funeral for Latz and Sina when he came home to London and has stayed close to their families.
He made his first emotional post paying tribute to his fallen friends prior to the funeral.
Joshua wrote: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said earlier this week that he could continue his boxing career in honour of his late friends.
A return to the heavyweight scene would be what the beloved duo would have wanted after they both spent years a part of Team AJ.
It comes after the Brit legend shared a video of himself boxing for the first time since the tragic car crash two weeks ago.
