Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to his two friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz”Ayodele after their deaths in the fatal car crash near Lagos, Nigeria.

“AJ” is back in the UK after attending their funerals and is recovering from minor injuries suffered in the accident.

Both men died after their vehicle collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on Monday.

Joshua, who was left in agony after being hauled out of the vehicle and then received hospital treatment before being discharged, has shared some words on his long-time friends on social media, alongside a black and white picture of both men in the sky with several doves.

And the British heavyweight said in a statement: “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.”

It is the second post from Joshua since the accident, having first posted a shot of himself alongside family members, with a portrait shot of Ghami.

The support from the boxing community for Joshua has been overwhelming, and his latest post has been no different, with fellow boxers Richard Riakporhe, Abdullah Mason, Dalton Smith and Adam Azim sharing their condolences among others.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was driving the car with Joshua as a passenger, had been charged over the crash at the Sagamu Magistrate Court.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps suggested speeding and an overtake attempt were to blame for the crash, but Ogun state’s police commissioner later told ESPN that a burst tyre on Joshua’s vehicle caused the driver to lose control and “swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road”.

Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was on holiday in the African country following his sixth-round knockout win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.

Plans had been made for Joshua to fight again in February, likely in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh Season boss Turki Alalshikh proposing a future fight in 2026 against long-time British rival Tyson Fury.