Anthony Joshua gives heartbreaking statement on car crash victims for first time

Anthony Joshua has thanked followers for the 'love and care' shown to his two friends killed in a car crash in Nigeria.

Last month, the former World Heavyweight Champion was injured when his car collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Nigeria. The 36-year-old was injured in the accident, which killed Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, who were both close friends and members of his team.

Taking to X, the boxer 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. 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 has since been discharged from the hospital on New Year's Eve after being treated for injuries sustained during the crash, details of which have not been released to the public.

Meanwhile, the vehicle's driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged in relation to the crash, allegedly for causing death by dangerous driving.

Joshua's statement comes just hours after UFC fighter Kamaru Usman apologised after a private conversation between him and Joshua was shared in behind-the-scenes footage from an MMA event in Lagos.

"After seeing what’s being written, it’s quite heartbreaking. 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," he wrote on X.

"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."