Anthony Joshua has written an emotional statement to his two close friends who died in an automobile accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway.

Joshua posted the touching statement on his Instagram page on Thursday.

The former heavyweight boxing champion suffered minor injuries in the December 29 incident, which also killed Joshua’s personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

The 36-year-old boxer was treated and released from the hospital on New Year’s Eve, returning to the United Kingdom shortly thereafter.

He visited sad families and attended his late friends’ funeral prayers at the London Central Mosque.

Joshua said he did not realise he was “in the presence of great men” until he lost his close associates.

He added that the death has been tough for him, but “even tougher for their parents”.

“Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are,” the post reads.

“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.”

Nigerian police reported that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the car involved in the accident, has been charged with causing death by reckless driving and driving without a valid licence.

A magistrate’s court deferred the case until January 20. The offender was granted bail of N5,000,000 but remains in detention until the completion of his bail terms.