British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua has shared the emotional details of a video call he made from his hospital bed just one day after surviving a horrific car crash that claimed the lives of two close friends.
The Tragic Crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred on December 29th on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria. Joshua miraculously survived the collision, but his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were tragically killed. The boxer was pictured being extracted from the wreckage of the black Lexus SUV, visibly in pain, before being taken to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos for treatment.
It has now emerged that on December 30th, while recovering from his injuries, Joshua held a video call with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The call took place backstage at Usman's African Knockout Championship event, also in Lagos, and was later posted to Usman's YouTube channel.
"It Still Hasn't Sunk In": Joshua's Emotional Words
In the poignant footage, Joshua can be seen with bandages on his head and torso, speaking from what appears to be a hospital treatment room. He immediately addressed the loss, stating, 'Obviously, two of my close friends passed away.'
When Usman asked about the seating positions in the car, Joshua explained, '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.'
Usman responded with sympathy, saying, 'I'm sorry for that man. Hey, you scared the world, I'll tell you that right now.' Joshua reflected on the fragility of life, replying, 'Life is short man, life is short. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time.'
Usman noted the shocking event had shown the true scale of support for the boxer, stating, 'It's crazy because obviously, we deal with the haters... and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you.'
Legal Proceedings and a Fateful Seat Swap
The driver of the vehicle, 47-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared before a magistrate in Sagamu on Friday. He was charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, having no licence, and driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm.
His lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told the Daily Mail his client pleaded not guilty, suggesting the brakes failed. He also revealed a crucial detail: Joshua had initially been in the front seat but swapped places before the journey, a move that may have saved his life. Ayodele is believed to have then taken the front passenger seat.
Bail was set at 5 million Naira (approximately £2,580) and the case was adjourned to January 20th for trial.
Joshua spent New Year's Eve in hospital before flying back to the UK for the funerals of Ghami and Ayodele, which were held on January 4th. Despite the immense personal tragedy, sources indicate Anthony Joshua has no current plans to retire from boxing.
The two friends lost in the crash were long-standing pillars of Joshua's life. Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer known online as 'Healthy Mindset', was a friend from before Joshua's professional career began. Sina Ghami, a qualified sports rehabilitator, co-founded Evolve Gym in London and was in Joshua's corner for his fight against Jake Paul in Miami just days before the fatal accident.
