Even as the team around Anthony Joshua urged media, fans and observers to give the former two-time unified heavyweight champion the time and space to grieve the recent loss of two of his closest friends, many have offered condolences, thoughts and support via social media in the aftermath.
On Thursday, Joshua acknowledged those voices, taking to Instagram to film a short video and offer his first spoken thoughts since Sina Ghami and Kevin "Latif/Latz" Ayodele – the fighter’s friends and team members – were killed in a December 29 auto accident in Nigeria that also left Joshua with minor injuries.
“The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami,” Joshua said. “We had so many plans to wrap up 2025 and we were on a mission. We were on a mission. We went back home, went to see our families and everything just got flipped, upside on its head. And yes, God's the best planner. We can't plan. We can plan to the best of our capabilities, but that was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our controls. And not only … did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about and have been major players in all of our lives – major major players in all of our lives. It's tough. It's really tough.”
Joshua appeared to speak extemporaneously, and often downplayed his own feelings, focusing more on the families of Ghami and Ayodele. But at one point, when recalling his bonds with the two men, he did seem to break slightly before collecting himself.
“It’s a shame,” Joshua said. “It’s a shame.
“What can I say? One day, my time will come – and I'm not scared, either, at all. It's actually comforting knowing I've got two brothers on the other side. You know, I've lost people before, but I don't think I've lost people like that – my left and my right. Throughout this journey that I've been on … I didn't even realize it – I'm the big guy – but I was walking with giants. Men that kept me protected, kept me shielded. But the mission must go on.
“I understand my duty. I understand what they wanted to do for their families. So my goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be in the physical [world]. When I pray at night, when I pray in the morning, I know, spiritually, they're going to aid me through, because it's not just physical strength that will get me through. It's going to take a lot, a lot of strength from the higher power. So I'm going to definitely be saying my prayers, and I'm going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families – not only me; there's a whole team of us, a whole brotherhood, a whole sisterhood that will be helping fulfill their legacy and fulfill their dreams.”
Joshua, 29-4 (26 KOs), who most recently stopped Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, didn’t address future fight dates, plans or even so much as mention boxing in his video statement. But he signed off with appreciation for the messages of support – “thousands and then maybe going into the millions” – he has received over the past weeks.
“I just want to say thank you. We heard, we saw, the messages, the tweets, the social media, the YouTubes, the prayers,” Joshua said. “It's all been acknowledged. So, yeah, we know we're going to do Mama Latz, Mama Sina, Papa Latz, Papa Sina, one love out here representing. This message is not only on behalf of me, it’s on behalf of their families. We appreciate you so much. Thank you for the love worldwide. Continue. Don't let it stop.
“And for anyone out there that's lost a son, a brother, one love to you. From us to you, we're sending that love straight back. And what more can I say? Thank you.”
Jason Langendorf is the former Boxing Editor of ESPN.com, was a contributor to Ringside Seat and the Queensberry Rules, and has written about boxing for Vice, The Guardian, Sun-Times and other publications. A member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, he can be found at LinkedIn and followed on X and Bluesky.
