Emotional Anthony Joshua chokes up in full touching tribute to friends killed in car crash

Anthony Joshua choked up when fully addressing the tragic crash that killed his two best friends.

In December, ‘AJ’ was hospitalised after the horror motor accident just outside of Lagos, Nigeria.

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Joshua sadly lost two of his teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, describing how he never realised how special they were in an initial tribute earlier this month.

The 36-year-old has now uploaded an emotional video to his Instagram, outlining how his main objective is to help his late friends achieve their goals.

Anthony Joshua delivers emotional video message in response to fatal crash

“Unfortunately, I’m not speaking to all of you people live,” Joshua said.

“If you know my character, I’d much prefer to do that, but there’s what I want, and then there’s reality.

“So this is the best way I could reach out to all of you, far and wide, worldwide, who are showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.”

Joshua describes being ‘on a mission’ with his close friends days before the accident, after defeating Jake Paul in his last professional boxing contest to date.

His long-term future in the sport is, unsurprisingly, in doubt.

‘AJ’ was expected to make a return to the ring in either February or March prior to the crash.

That would’ve then set up a blockbuster British classic with Tyson Fury, who has since announced his return to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, told talkSPORT in January that nothing would be discussed regarding his man’s return until the Briton has had time to recover from the tragic incident.

“We went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped upside on its head,” Joshua added in his tribute.

“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 control.

“Not only did I — I don’t even want to talk about myself — 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. I’m not gonna sit here and show all of my emotions. I know in today’s day and age it’s easy to micro-analyse people and you know pass judgment

“But I know what I feel, and that’s what matters to me. I know what my duty is. They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.”

Joshua adds that Latz and Sina were more than just friends, having lived with both men and conducted business together throughout his career.

“One day my time will come and I’m not scared either at all,” he continued.

“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 like journey that I’ve been on they’ve been, it’s not easy…

“I was walking with giants 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 what my goal is is to continue to help them achieve their goals.

“Even though they may not be here in the physical, when I pray at night, when I pray in the morning, I know spiritually they’re gonna aid me through because it’s not just physical strength that will get me through.

“It’s gonna take a lot, a lot of strength from the higher power, so I’m gonna definitely be saying my prayers, and I’m gonna help them fulfil 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 fulfil their legacy and fulfil their dreams.

“But I know in my corner of the world, I know what I’m going to be doing, and I know what we’re going to do to continue their.

“I don’t want to say legacy because I had a lot of those questions during my fight in Miami, how does this affect your legacy, legacy, legacy? It ain’t about legacy, it’s just doing what’s right.

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“I know what I’m gonna do —what’s right for them, I know what I gotta do.

“I’m gonna do what’s right by them, I’m gonna do what’s right by their family, it’s about what’s important to me, and they’re very important players, very important team members, very important friends and two of my brothers.”

The former Olympic gold medallist then expressed how much he acknowledges the ‘love and appreciation shared by ‘the thousands and millions’ who have reached out since the crash.

“I still can’t get my head around, just my two friends, how popular, that’s mad to me because we just grew up together,” he concluded.

“I’ve known them as my friends, but they’ve built such strong characters over the years, and so they must have really spent time working on themselves and bettering themselves and becoming the men they are today.

“I’m sure their parents 100 per cent are proud of them because I am…

“This message is not only on behalf of me, this is 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 lot.

“From us to you, we’re sending that love straight back, and what more can I say? Thank you.”

‘AJ’ also took a moment to show his appreciation to the first responders, doctors, nurses, and those who helped his late friends at the scene.

Hundreds of thousands have already sent their condolences to Joshua.