ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he’s “truly grateful” for the support he’s received following the deaths of his two close friends in a horror car crash.
AJ’s good friends and team members Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami tragically lost their lives in the horrific crash in Nigeria late last month.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua escaped the fatal crash with minor injuries after cheating death by swapping seats.
The boxing world has showered the families of the late Ayodele and Ghami, as well as AJ, with support over the last few weeks.
And long-time promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed AJ has been blown away by the love shown to himself and his departed friends.
Posting an image of himself and AJ at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai, the Matchroom Boxing chief wrote on Instagram: “Great to catch up with @anthonyjoshua today.
“His resilience and strength is inspiring.
“The loss is heavy, and he will take his time to get back on track.
“But said he is truly grateful for all the support and the love shown for Latz and Sina.“
The tragedy which unfolded on the notorious Lagos-Ibadan highway has cast serious doubt over a ring return for AJ.
And Hearn believes the Watford warrior will take a “considerable amount of time” away from the sport.
He told Sky Sports: “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, before he makes a decision on his future.
“I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right.
“It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon. The only conversation is, ‘Are you OK?’
“And sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.”
Joshua has yet to publicly discuss his fighting future or the crash itself.
But he paid a touching tribute to his departed pals on Instagram earlier this month.
He wrote: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers.
“I didn’t even realise how special they are.
He is truly grateful for all the support and the love shown for Latz and Sina.”
Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua
“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.”
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode was the driver of the vehicle carrying AJ and his late friends and has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
The 47-year-old, who was granted bail, was also charged with driving without due care and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Proceedings will be reopened on Tuesday.
