Insiders are concerned by AJ’s mental scars, with a return to the ring unclear without the two pals who were always in his corner
DEVASTATED Anthony Joshua said yesterday “I feel pain all over my body” after the high-speed horror smash which killed two of his pals.
The former world heavyweight boxing champ had a miraculous escape from Monday’s death crash in Nigeria but it claimed the lives of close aides Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Sources close to the British fighter, 36, who will remain in hospital into the New Year, said he had searing pain in his knees and cried out in agony as he was taken from the wreckage of the Lexus 4×4 but tests revealed no fractures.
The star will remain in hospital while medics keep an eye on him and carry out further tests over the next few days.
Joshua’s promoters Matchroom declined to detail his injuries last night but confirmed: “Anthony is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
The crash came ten days after AJ celebrated knocking out YouTuber Jake Paul in a money-spinning bout in the US.
But insiders fear the grief and mental scars from the road tragedy could put potential mega-fights next year in doubt — including a long-awaited showdown with his bitter UK rival Tyson Fury.
Joshua was being comforted in hospital by his mum after miraculously escaping with his life while close aides Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele died.
AJ was said to still be in pain but insiders were more concerned by his mental scars, with a return to the ring unclear without the two pals who were always in his corner as his career skyrocketed.
The pair were killed instantly on Monday morning as the Lexus SUV they were travelling in slammed into a parked lorry on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
AJ and the local hired driver – both sitting on the opposite side of the car from Sina and Latz – cheated death by inches.