Anthony Joshua has posted on social media for the first time since suriving the horrific car crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria.
The former heavyweight champion, who was released from hospital on New Year’s Eve, flew back from Nigeria to London ahead of Sunday’s funerals for Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
In posts to Instagram and X, Joshua shared several photos of himself alongside grieving relatives, with the caption: ‘My Brothers Keeper.’
In one shot he is seated on a lounge with the two mothers of his friends, while Sina’s sister, Sanaz, clutches a photo of her brother.
In a second photo, Joshua is pictured sitting on the floor with Alex Ayodele, the father of Latz.
Joshua was travelling on Monday with Ghami and Ayodele on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in the southwest of the country when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck.
Ghami and Ayodele died at the scene, while Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries.
Hours before the tragedy, Joshua and Ayodele had shared clips on social media of themselves playing table tennis together.
Nigerian police on Friday charged the driver of the car 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”.
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.
Adeniyi has claimed the vehicle’s brakes failed and has denied the charges.
His lawyer said: “My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident.
“I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.”
Kayode is due to appear in court on January 20.
Joshua, who has Nigerian roots, was holidaying in the country following his bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami.
“Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” Paul had posted on X following the crash.
Joshua has since been linked with a fight against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury, which could happen in 2026.
Fury announced his comeback to the sport this week, a year after retiring.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, said last week that he fears Joshua may never fight again following the crash.
“This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of it physically well,” Warren told ITV News.
AJ sent to hospital after fatal crash | 00:53
“But mentally is another issue. I don’t even know if he’ll have the appetite to fight again or if he will fight again, that is something that only time will tell.”
Joshua’s last fight prior to the match with Paul was a fifth-round knockout loss to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in September last year.