UFC fighter Kamaru Usman has apologised after a private conversation in which Anthony Joshua told him about the details of the car crash which killed his two close friends was filmed and shared online.
Joshua, 36, survived the crash on Nigeria‘s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29 with minor injuries, and he called Usman from the hospital to tell him about what had happened the following day.
The pair discussed the events on FaceTime, with the British boxer telling Usman his two ‘close friends’, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, had ‘passed away’. He said: ‘It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet.’
The video was taken while Usman was backstage at his African Knockout championship event, which was held on December 30 in Lagos. But Usman said he had not realised the conversation had been recorded.
Usman posted on X: ‘Being on camera that whole day in preparation for the AKO show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded. I realised after and asked about it.
‘I take full responsibility for not properly watching the video that was released and keeping my private conversation with my brother AJ private. SMH (Shake My Head) big L (loss) on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend/ brother.’
Anthony Joshua held a video call with UFC star Kamaru Usman while recovering in hospital following a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of his two close friends on December 29
The video was taken while Usman (pictured) was backstage at his African Knockout championship event, which was held on December 30 in Lagos
The boxer’s long-time friends Ghami and Ayodele were killed after their SUV ploughed into a stationary truck in Makun, Nigeria. Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer while Ghami was his strength coach.
Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to the pair on Thursday on Instagram, saying: ‘Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.
‘I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men. 100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.’
Meanwhile promoter Eddie Hearn has made it clear he won’t be pushing Joshua to make any decisions about his boxing future.
‘Since the accident, I’ve had people phoning me saying: “What’s the update…” The reality is, this is not the time for updates, this is not the time for careers,’ Hearn told Matchroom Boxings YouTube channel.
‘This is a time for faith and prayer and healing for Anthony. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, you’ve got to give him time. We’re not interested in the future.
‘We’re interested in Anthony and his wellbeing and obviously the wellbeing as much as possible of the friends and family that are effected by this tragic incident.’
Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to his two friends on Instagram on Thursday
Promoter Eddie Hearn has made it clear he won’t be pushing Joshua to make any decisions about his boxing future, saying: ‘this is not the time for updates, this is not the time for careers’
Joshua is pictured with Latif Ayodele (centre) and Sina Ghami (right) who both died in the crash
Hearn recalled with affection the impact Latz and Sina had on Joshua.
‘Sina would walk into a room and just light it on like: “Come on!” He was just the absolute energy lifter. And Latz the same. A really deep individual, a man of extreme faith and positivity. And we’ll miss them dearly.’ Hearn said.
‘These are people who had incredible families and big groups and networks of friends. I know people talk about members of AJ’s team, but they were much more than that obviously. They were some of his best mates.’
Joshua, who was born in Watford, has family roots in Sagamu – a town in Ogun state, near the crash site.
He was on his way to visit relatives for New Year celebrations in the town at the time of the crash, according to the BBC.
The boxer had been spending time in Nigeria after his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December.
The Ogun State Police Command last Friday confirmed that the driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, had been charged on four counts.
Kayode was charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention and driving without a valid national driver’s licence.
The 46-year-old appeared at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, and the case has been adjourned to 20 January for trial.