Anthony Joshua has spoken publicly for the first time since a car crash in Nigeria on December 29 that killed two of his closest friends and team members, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

In an emotional video posted on his social media and YouTube channel titled My Brother’s Keeper For Life, the 36-year-old boxer described the past month as “tragic” and thanked fans, first responders and officials for their support.

Joshua was travelling in the back of an SUV when it struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos. He suffered minor injuries and was treated in hospital before returning to the UK to continue his recovery.

Both Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene. Local authorities later charged the vehicle’s driver with dangerous and reckless driving.

In the short video statement, Joshua spoke directly and quietly to the camera, fighting back tears at times as he traced the shock of the accident and the depth of his loss.

He described Latif and Sina as “my left and my right”, saying they were more than colleagues and friends. “They were my brothers,” he said. He added that the two men had been housemates, business partners and “major players” in his life.

Joshua made it clear he does not want the moment reduced to legacy talk. Instead, he spoke about duty and care for the families of the men who died.

He promised to help their families “achieve their goals” and pledged that he and a wider group of friends and colleagues would work to support their loved ones. “I’m going to do what’s right by them,” he said.

Alongside his tribute, Joshua used the video caption to thank the many people who helped after the crash. He singled out first responders, the medical staff at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, and individuals who offered logistical support during his recovery.

He publicly acknowledged the assistance of billionaire businessmen Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote and thanked senior officials, including the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, as well as federal and state officials in Nigeria, for their involvement and concern.

Anthony Joshua spoke about the practical and spiritual ways he is coping. He said he found comfort in the belief that Latif and Sina would remain with him in spirit and that prayer and a “higher power” would help him carry on.

He also expressed gratitude for the thousands of messages, prayers and public condolences that have arrived from around the world.

Promoters and team members have said he will take time to recover before any decisions are made about his boxing future.

Reaction to Joshua’s message has been immediate, with supporters and public figures praising his commitment to the families and noting the dignity of his response.