Anthony Joshua had an emotional FaceTime session with former UFC champion Kamaru Usman following the tragic loss of his two close friends in a car crash.

While back in Nigeria to celebrate the New Year, Joshua was involved in a car crash in Makun, Ogun State, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when a Lexus Jeep collided with a stationary truck by the side of the road.

Joshua was a passenger in the backseat and images emerged of him sat in the vehicle surrounded by smashed glass. He was taken to hospital to recover from minor injuries but it was reported that two adult males had lost their lives in the tragic accident.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to ‘my brothers’ after

Authorities later confirmed the deceased to be Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both 36 and long-time members of Joshua’s team.

They had helped prepare Joshua for his most recent fight, where he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round.

Two-time heavyweight champion Joshua back in the UK and on Sunday, he posted a picture on Instagram where he is sat on a sofa with four other people – with one holding a framed photo of the late Sina.

The 36-year-old had understandably been relatively quiet online while grieving until he put out a tribute to his late friends on his official channels, thanking fans “for all the love and care you have shown my brothers” and admitting he “didn’t even realise how special they are”.

Joshua had a conversation with Nigerian-born Usman and it was controversially included in part of his behind the scenes vlog at an AKO MMA event in Lagos.

In the FaceTime, a bandage-wearing Joshua could be heard telling Usman, “Obviously, two of my close friends passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet”.

Usman replied: “You scared the world. It’s crazy because, obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bulls**** each and every time.

“It sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you.”

Joshua then said, “Life is short, man. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time.”

Usman issued apology for Joshua leak

The private conversation being included in Usman’s vlog caused a huge stir and led to him taking it down amid the backlash.

However, he felt the need to issue a statement explaining the oversight and accepting “full responsibility”.

“After seeing what’s being written it’s quite heartbreaking,” the former welterweight champion wrote on X.

“Being on camera that whole day in preparation for The AKO show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded. I realised after and asked about it. I take full responsibility for not properly watching the video that was released and keeping my private conversation with my brother AJ private.

“SMH big L on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend/ brother.”

The driver, Adeniyi Kayode, 47, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving and driving without a valid licence.

He denies all the charges and as per his lawyers, claims that the brakes “did not work” and that it was an “accident”.

Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to ‘my brothers’ after fatal Nigeria car crash

Grief-stricken Anthony Joshua has paid a heartfelt tribute to his two close friends who were sadly killed in a devastating car crash last week. British boxer Joshua was passenger in the Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos, Nigeria.

The impact resulted in the deaths of two of Joshua’s close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Their funerals took place on Sunday at a mosque in London.

JUST IN: Everything Anthony Joshua has said about horrific car crash that

Joshua broke his silence on social media that day and has now shared another tribute on Instagram. “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” he wrote.

“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.

“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 post comes after his promoter, Eddie Hearn, gave an update on his future in boxing. It’d been claimed that the 36-year-old was planning to retire, but Mirror Fighting understands that no decision has been made.

A potential fight with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury has been speculated, but Hearn wouldn’t commit to anything and wants give Joshua ‘time’ to grieve. “I think to be honest at this stage, it’s definitely a no comment from us. Just because of the respect to Anthony,” the promoter told talkSPORT on Thursday.

“Obviously with everything he’s been through with the tragic loss of Sina and Latz. At the moment, Anthony needs time. Time and privacy. There will be no conversations from us about a career, any moves, what’s next.

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“This is a terrible tragedy and Anthony’s going to need his own time, physically and emotionally. And at the moment, there’s nothing to discuss or say. Let’s give him his time and pray for him and of course all the families involved in this terrible incident.”

It was Joshua’s uncle who initially claimed that the fighter was going to hang up his gloves following the tragedy, having recently beaten YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami.

Adedamola Joshua told The Punch in Nigeria: “The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally.”

Joshua, who has family roots in the town of Sagamu, had been in Nigeria over the festive period. A family member said that the former world heavyweight champion was on his way to visit relatives to celebrate New Year when the crash took place. Last Friday, the driver of the SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged at Sagamu Magistrates’ Court.

Everything Anthony Joshua has said about horrific car crash that killed his friends

Everything you need to know

1. The Incident: Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal road collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria on December 29, 2025. His Lexus SUV struck a stationary vehicle while he was travelling to visit relatives for the New Year, an accident police suspect was caused by a “tyre burst due to excessive speed.”
2. The Victims: The crash tragically claimed the lives of Joshua’s close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. These men were described by associates as “more than colleagues—they were family,” having served respectively as Joshua’s strength coach and personal trainer.
3. A Narrow Escape: Joshua reportedly cheated death by moving from the front passenger seat to the back of the vehicle just minutes before the impact. He was asked to switch seats because his “large physique was obstructing the view of the vehicle’s wing mirror,” a move that likely saved his life.
4. Personal Tributes: Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Joshua shared a poignant social media post captioned “My Brother’s Keeper” featuring photographs of himself supporting the grieving families. He admitted to friends that the reality of the loss “still hasn’t sunk in” and that the gravity of the situation “still hasn’t hit me yet.”
5. Fallen “Brothers”: In response to the horrific accident, Joshua said: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” he wrote. 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.”
6. Physical and Emotional Toll: Although he survived with minor injuries, eyewitnesses described Joshua as appearing “dazed” and “unable to speak” as he was helped from the wreckage. While recovering in a hospital treatment room, he shared his perspective on the tragedy with friend and former UFC champion Kamaru Usman: “Life is short, man. Life is short.”
7. Future in Boxing: In the aftermath, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, claimed the fighter has “retired from boxing” to spare his family from further emotional trauma. While promoters acknowledge that “boxing will certainly be the last thing on his mind,” the former champion has yet to make a formal public announcement regarding his retirement.
8. Legal Consequences: The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with four counts, including dangerous driving causing death and operating without a valid license. A police spokesperson confirmed the driver was granted bail but “remanded pending when he meets his bail condition” at a Nigerian magistrate’s court.
9. The Funeral Service: Thousands of mourners, including Joshua, gathered at the London Central Mosque on January 4, 2026, for the Islamic Janaza funeral prayers. The service honoured the two men who “played significant roles in Joshua’s career” before they were laid to rest at Hendon Cemetery.

10. READ THE FULL STORY: Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to ‘my brothers’ after fatal Nigeria car crash.

Anthony Joshua has not confirmed any plans to retire from boxing following last week’s tragedy, despite unverified claims circulating that the former heavyweight champion is stepping away from the sport.

As of now, Joshua has chosen not to address his boxing future at all, remaining publicly silent as he grieves the loss of two close friends and long-time team members, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who were killed in a fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29.

Confusion has been amplified by a doctored AI video circulating online that falsely suggests Joshua has retired, highlighting the growing challenge of distinguishing fact from manipulated content in 2026 media coverage.

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Silence as a conscious decision
Joshua’s lack of public comment has not been accidental. Since the incident, the 36-year-old has avoided interviews, statements, or indirect messaging related to boxing, retirement, or his career trajectory.

On Sunday, he attended the funerals of Ayodele and Ghami in London, paying his respects privately alongside their families. The appearance marked his first public sighting since being released from hospital several days earlier after sustaining minor injuries in the crash.

Joshua spent time with both families before the funeral and deliberately posted on his socials, consciously giving the media something without revealing the extent of his mindset. His focus is now entirely on those affected and on processing what he witnessed that terrible day.

The fake AI video and unverified family comments have added to public confusion, highlighting the challenges athletes face controlling their narrative in today’s instant digital media.

AJ later shared a single social media post showing him with grieving relatives, accompanied by the caption “My Brothers’ Keeper.” The message contained no reference to boxing or future plans.

No confirmation from Joshua or his team
Neither Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, nor Matchroom Boxing has issued further comment beyond an initial acknowledgment of the accident. There has been no official communication from Joshua’s management regarding retirement or next steps.

In recent days, comments attributed to a family member have circulated online suggesting Joshua had informed relatives of an intention to retire. Those remarks remain unverified and have not been supported by any on-the-record confirmation.

At this stage, no decision has been announced, finalized, or communicated publicly. It’s too early to tell what lies ahead for Joshua in boxing.

Too Early to Predict
Joshua fought just ten days before the tragedy, scoring a knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. The sudden loss of two trusted members of his inner circle represents a significant emotional shock.

Historically, Joshua has stepped away from public discussion after significant personal or professional moments, choosing reflection over immediacy. Decisions about his career have only been shared once he was ready to speak directly.

Actions since the tragedy emphasized that his priority remains supporting the families affected and allowing space for mourning, rather than responding to external speculation.

No retirement announcement
As of now, Anthony Joshua has not announced his retirement from boxing.

World Boxing News understands that any statement regarding his future will come from Joshua himself, on his own terms, and not through interpretation during a period of grief.

Until then, reports suggesting his career is settled remain speculative.

For the moment, Joshua has chosen silence — not as an answer, but as a boundary.

Anthony Joshua’s ‘Uncle’ Provides Huge Update on Boxing Career After Car Crash

After surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, questions have inevitably been raised over whether Anthony Joshua will ever return to the boxing ring, with recent comments made by the two-time world champion’s ‘uncle’ only fuelling further speculation.

The Olympic gold medallist was a back-seat passenger in a Lexus SUV when it collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday the 29th of December, and while AJ survived with only minor injuries, the crash tragically killed Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif’ Ayodele, both close friends of Joshua and key members of his team.

On Sunday, Joshua attended the funerals of Ghami and Ayodele, both held at the London Central Mosque, and issued his first social media update since the tragic accident. The 36-year-old posted a photo of himself sitting alongside his mother and the family members of his two friends with the caption, “My Brothers Keeper.”

What Next For Anthony Joshua

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The car crash in Nigeria happened just 10 days after AJ defeated Jake Paul in Miami, Florida, with rumours swirling that the Brit was gearing up for a big 2026 — potentially headlined by his long-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury in September.

While The Gypsy King has just announced his comeback out of retirement, Joshua’s future has understandably become less certain, with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, and Matchroom Boxing yet to provide further comment other than initial statements released on the night of the accident.

However, recent comments made by AJ’s ‘uncle’, Adedamola Joshua, to Nigerian newspaper, The Punch, have sparked speculation that the former world champion is set to retire from the sport altogether.

“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing,” Adedamola said. “That is one thing that makes us glad, because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally.

“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us, also.

“Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”

The ‘uncle’ of the British boxing legend was then asked by The Punch whether Joshua had in fact communicated that decision with the family, to which Adedamola responded: “Yes.”

However, in a recent development from the Daily Mail, they have been told that Joshua has NO PLANS of retiring, and Adedamola does not speak for or represent the British heavyweight. As of writing this article, AJ’s representatives haven’t commented on his future in the sport.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Update

While nothing has yet been officially confirmed regarding AJ’s future, which is also hardly his most important concern right now, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently suggested to The Mirror that any fight between AJ and Fury is now unlikely to take place until late 2026, if it takes place at all.

“There’s obviously a lot bigger things going on than boxing with two people losing their lives,” Warren said. “I can’t see that fight [with AJ] happening now, certainly not until very late in the New Year.”

In a separate interview with ITV News, Warren questioned whether a fight would be possible at all, stating: “This is an awful time for everyone involved. Physically, hopefully AJ has come out of it well. But mentally is another issue. I don’t even know if he’ll have the appetite to fight again.”

If the clash with Joshua fails to materialise, a bout between Fury and Fabio Wardley could be an option, as The Gypsy King shared a tale of the tape comparing him and the WBO heavyweight champion on his Instagram story, adding the caption: “Big smoke for the GK after a long lay-off could be an option later in 2026 god willing.”

Anthony Joshua has posted on social media for the first time since he was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria.

Two of Joshua’s team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, both lost their lives on Monday after the Lexus SUV they were travelling in crashed into a stationary truck just outside of Lagos.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury’s Planned Comeback Date Revealed as Gypsy King Confirms Boxing Return

AJ was taken to hospital with minor injuries before he was discharged on Wednesday.

The British boxing star immediately visited the funeral home with his mother to pay respects to his fallen friends and returned to the UK on Friday to continue his recovery.

Anthony Joshua issues first social media post since accident

On Sunday, the former heavyweight champion took to Instagram and shared images with family members of Ghami and Ayodele in a heartfelt post.

“My Brothers Keeper,” Joshua said, seemingly referring to a phrase from the Bible, which looks at the idea of shared responsibility for others’ welfare.

The 1993 DRS song Gangsta Lean, which serves as a tribute to a lost friend, is paired with the caption.

The song starts: “Why’d you have to go so soon? It seems like yesterday, we were hangin ’round the hood. Now I’m gonna keep your memory alive like a homie should.”

Members of the boxing fraternity, including Conor Benn’s trainer Tony Sims, Matchroom Boxing, and talkSPORT’s own Spencer Oliver and Ade Oladipo, have all thus far sent their condolences to Joshua in the comments section.

Ayodele and Ghami’s funerals are to take place on Sunday, January 4, at London Central Mosque.

Joshua arrived at London Stansted Airport on Friday night ahead of the ceremony.

The driver of the SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged at the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court on the same day with death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s license.

Kayode was granted bail in the sum of five million naira (£2,579) and has been remanded pending the conditions of his bail being met, with the case adjourned until January 20.

Joshua had been on holiday in Nigeria days after knocking out Jake Paul on December 19.

After the crash, Paul wrote on X: “Life is much more important than boxing.

“I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

He, alongside Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, honoured the lives of Ayodele and Ghami by placing their names on the canvas ahead of an event in Puerto Rico on Saturday night.

Darts sensation Luke Littler also paid his respects to Joshua and his team after winning the PDC World Championship for the second time in a row.

Divine intervention? Anthony Joshua made last-second seat change that saved his life in fatal car crash

Incredible detail on how Anthony Joshua survived fatal crash emerges as charges for driver revealed

Nigerian police on Friday charged the driver of a car, carrying British boxer Anthony Joshua that was involved in a fatal crash, with “reckless” and “dangerous driving causing death”.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was also charged with driving without a valid “driver’s licence” and “driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property”, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a spokesman for the police in Ogun state, told AFP.

READ: Anthony Joshua pays ‘final respects to departed friends’ after leaving hospital

He was granted a five million naira bail ($3,500) but will remain in detention until he meets bail conditions, Babaseyi said.

Kayode was driving the boxer and two of his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in southwest Nigeria when the Lexus SUV in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck on Monday.

Nigerian police and state officials said that Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries.

It’s since been revealed that Joshua only cheated death after changing seats in the vehicle at the last minute, according to The Telegraph.

The publication reports that it was claimed in court Joshua was initially in the front seat, but moved to the back of the SUV at the request of the driver, who was struggling to see the side mirror past the heavyweight boxer.

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in Ogun state, where the accident occurred, told AFP earlier in the week that its preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle was moving at an excessive speed and had burst a tyre before the crash.

Kayode is due to appear in court on January 20.