Anthony Joshua has endured punishment inside the ring throughout his boxing career, but nothing compares to the pain he now carries outside of it.
Weeks after surviving a devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, the former heavyweight champion has begun to speak publicly.
However, his words are not based around the boxing ring but grief and the loss of his friends. Physically, Joshua has recovered but it is clear that the wound remains open.
In a heartfelt statement shared on YouTube, Joshua addressed the tragedy directly, choosing not to dramatize his grief but to express it honestly.
He acknowledged the overwhelming support he received and explained why he felt compelled to speak.
“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,” Joshua said.
The loss of two close friends
Ghami and Ayodele were not just members of Joshua‘s professional circle. They were deeply personal presences in his life, friends who helped anchor him amid fame and pressure.
Their absence has forced Joshua to confront questions that go far beyond titles or rankings and what is most important in his life.
“So my goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be in the physical [world],” he added. “I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families.”
Throughout the message, Joshua made a deliberate effort to steer the conversation away from his boxing legacy.
When the word surfaced, he stopped himself, visibly frustrated by how often tragedy becomes framed through a career lens.
“How does this affect your legacy? Legacy. Legacy. It ain’t about legacy. It’s just doing what’s right,” Joshua said.
Still, AJ‘s words inevitably raised questions about his future in the sport. For months, speculation has surrounded whether he might retire. While he did not announce a decision, his comments hinted at a man with a different purpose to fulfil.
Hearn weighs in on AJ future
That perspective was echoed by longtime promoter Eddie Hearn, who recently spoke with Ariel Helwani about Joshua‘s emotional state.
“It almost feels like, being with him recently, boxing saved him. And it will probably save him again,” Hearn said. “I think he will fight on, and I think he’ll do it in their honor. But it’s not going to be easy.”
For Joshua, the path forward is no longer defined solely by belts or opponents. It is about action – honoring Ghami and Ayodele through tangible support for their families and living in a way that reflects what they stood for.
Whether that journey includes another walk to the ring remains uncertain, but it’s clear that wherever he goes to fight, he will carry his late friends with him spiritually.
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