Anthony Joshua breaks silence after fatal crash as British boxer releases first picture back in UK

Anthony Joshua has broken his silence on social media ahead of the funerals of his two close friends who died following the car crash in Nigeria.

The two-time heavyweight world champion posted photographs on Instagram this morning showing himself alongside the families of the deceased, with one image featuring a person holding a framed picture of Sina Ghami.

Joshua captioned the images: “My Brothers Keeper.”

The phrase carries biblical origins from Genesis 4:9, representing a moral obligation to support and protect others.

The memorial services for Ghami and Latif Ayodele are scheduled to take place today at a mosque in London, where family and friends have been invited to attend a janaza prayer service.

Joshua flew back to Britain on Friday evening, landing at Stansted Airport via private jet, and has since been recovering at his home.

The 36-year-old boxer was travelling as a passenger in a black Lexus SUV when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State on Monday morning.

Ghami, who served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Both men were also 36 years old.

Anthony Joshua has broken his silence on social media ahead of the funerals of his two close friends who died in the Nigeria car crash

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Authorities believe the vehicle was travelling at high speed and suffered a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre.

An official spokesperson for Joshua released a statement following the incident.

It read: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.”

It is not clear if Joshua will attend the funeral service, with concerns that his presence might create unwanted attention and detract from the ceremony for the grieving families.

Joshua flew back to Britain on Friday evening

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A source told The Sun: “Anthony wants to go to the funeral but he hasn’t decided yet, he’s mindful that his presence could cause a circus and overshadow the funeral for the family of his two friends.”

The boxer, who was born in Watford to British-Nigerian parents, had been holidaying in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

Joshua was released from Duchess International Hospital on Wednesday and subsequently visited a funeral home to pay his respects to his two friends before returning to the UK.

The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared at Sagamu High Court on Friday facing four charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid licence.

Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided death in the fatal Nigeria car crash after switching seats moments before the crash | REUTERS

Kayode, 47, who has worked for Joshua’s team for more than three years, pleaded not guilty to all charges and claimed the brakes on the Lexus had failed.

His lawyer Olalekan Abiodun told the Daily Mail: “My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident.”

It emerged during proceedings that Joshua had initially sat in the front passenger seat but moved to the rear at Kayode’s request, as the driver could not see the wing mirror properly.

Both Ghami and Ayodele were seated on the side Joshua had originally occupied.