Anthony Joshua has spoken out for the first time following a tragic car crash which killed two of his close friends.

The 36-year-old was a passenger in the back of a black SUV when it hit a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos in Nigeria last Monday. While Joshua narrowly avoided death, the smash claimed the lives of both Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. 'AJ' had spent several days in hospital before being released on New Year's Eve.

The former two-time heavyweight world champion flew home to the UK on Friday and took to social media to post a photo of himself and his mother, alongside members of his late friends' family, and the caption "My Brothers Keeper". The funerals of Joshua's friends are being held in London today but it is unclear whether the fighter will attend over fears his presence will turn the day into a "circus".

Joshua and his mother Yeta Odusanya paid their respects to both Ayodele and Ghami at a funeral home on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their repatriation to the UK. A statement at the time read: "Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home."

On Friday, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed Joshua's driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, had been charged at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, with the case adjourned January 20. He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver's licence

“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 46, was charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court today, 2nd January 2026 and the case has been adjourned to 20th January, 2026,” a statement on the force’s official X account read.

It also emerged last week that Joshua initially sat in the front seat of the vehicle but was asked to move to the back by the driver, effectively saving his life. After the driver was charged, his lawyer told the Daily Mail: "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.

"I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats. He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony."

The fatal incident came just days after Joshua scored an emphatic knockout victory on his return to boxing. 'AJ' stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami, in a contest which saw him earn £70million. The Brit had been expected to return to the ring next month before taking on Tyson Fury later this summer.

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However, his boxing future hangs in the balance, with promoter Frank Warren admitting that a possible fight may not happen until late 2026 - if it happens at all. Fury's promoter Warren admitted he is not sure what the future holds for the two stars following the tragic incident - and has now ruled out any chances of them meeting as early in 2026.

"Well, boxing will certainly be the last thing on his [Joshua's] mind, right now. He's obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him. I don't know the extent of his injuries, but it's also how mentally this will affect him. Boxing again will be the last thing on his mind, but tragedy can affect people in different ways; sometimes, you need something you can really focus on to pull through to the other side."

On Tuesday, mourners leaving tributes outside the gym of Joshua's coach said it'd be difficult for the Brit to continue boxing. Flowers were laid outside the doors of Evolve Gym in Colindale, north west London, which was owned by 'AJ's' friend Ghami who died in the crash.

Agash Satkunarajah, 26, from Harrow, who had met Sina, stood for several minutes looking at the tributes. He said: "It's quite devastating to see that they went for a holiday and never came home. For AJ I just don't know where this takes him. I think mentally he's going to be broken. AJ used to come here and prepare for his fights. He was a close friend of Sina's. Sina was his very good friend, but he was also his strength and conditioning coach so I think it will be very difficult for him to continue when two of the most important people in your boxing career have passed away sadly."