…Police charge driver
CITIZENS COMPASS— Former boxing legend, Anthony Joshua, has announced his retirement from boxing and his next plans for the families of his departed friends who died in an autocrash along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
Citizens Compass reported that Anthony Joshua survived a fatal autocrash which claimed the lives of his two friends and injured another person.
Recall that four occupants were in the Lexus SUV vehicle whose driver was said to be on top speed thereby endangering their lives.
He was accused of reckless driving when the autocrash occurred on Monday.
Joshua and the driver, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode sustained minor injuries but two other occupants, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, lost their lives on the spot.
In a viral video which was monitored by Citizens Compass on Friday, Anthony Joshua after announcing his retirement from boxing also enumerated his plans for the departed souls.
Joshua mentioned why he decided to retire and why it became necessary to remember his departed friends who were active in the boxing career before their lives were cut short.
According to him: I have decided to formally retire from the boxing world. Thank you all for your continued support but I truly cannot keep fighting with a broken heart.
My friends accompanied me back to my hometown yet they lost their lives there while I survived. The guilt and remorse are unbearable.
To be honest, I would rather it had been me who died instead of them,they were my friends of over ten years and also the coaches who gave me tremendous help.
Every medal I ever win carries their contribution and now they have left the world forever because of me.
Therefore, I have decided to officially step away from boxing because the moment I step into the ring, their faces appear in my mind and that grief completely crushes me.
In addition, I will personally cover all funeral expenses for my two brothers. This is the only thing I can do for them.
From now on, I will live on with their memories in my heart and I will take care of their families on their behalf.
May there be no car accident in heaven. My brothers, rest in peace.”
Citizens Compass gathered that Latif Ayodele was preparing for his marriage which necessitated his journey to Nigeria to meet the family of his heartthrob, unfortunately this dream was not materialised.
The wedding was said to be postponed for three years.
Recall that Joshua has defeated one of his friends, Jake Paul, in the boxing ring. Paul’s jaw was broken during the fight which landed him in the hospital.
Citizens Compass reported that a few days ago, Paul’s mother, Pam Stepnick, in a viral video said that she would never forgive Anthony Joshua for breaking her son’s jaw.
The autocrash occurred less than two weeks after Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul in a fight.
Responding to the autocrash, Jake Paul in a viral video said: After learning of Anthony Joshua’s serious car accident, I made three decisions that changed my stance. I recently lost a boxing match and was furious but I quickly realised that compared to everything else in reality, the outcome of a boxing match is insignificant.
First, I quickly withdrew all provocative comments directed at him. We had exchanged barbs and taunts in the past but when real danger stucks, I didn’t want to waste my time and energy in someone facing a life or death situation, next through my Boxing Bullies Foundation, I donated $10 million to the families of the two coaches who tragically died in the accident.
Finally, I also instructed my MVP Promotions company to immediately remove all Paul versus Joshua post fight memorabilia and any merchandise containing sarcastic or mocking content from its shelves as a sign of respect and condolences. As a top athlete, one faces not only the punches in the ring but also the immense pressure and unpredictable risks that come with fame.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has charged Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode with causing death by dangerous driving after the fatal accident.
He was also charged with driving without a valid driving licence and “driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property”. He is due to appear in court on 20 January.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said they believed the vehicle was travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”.
