2026-02-04 18:33:36
Oleksandr Usyk has spoken publicly about a private phone call with Anthony Joshua after the former heavyweight champion survived a fatal car crash that killed two members of his team.
Usyk contacted Joshua in the aftermath of the crash in Nigeria last December, in which Joshua’s close friends and team members Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami were killed.
Joshua escaped the incident with minor injuries.
The two men have fought twice at heavyweight, with Oleksandr winning both bouts, and the Ukrainian said he reached out to offer condolences and support following the deaths.
Speaking to SecondsOut, Oleksandr described the brief exchange between the pair in the days after the crash.
He said: “I called Anthony and said, ‘How do you feel?’ He said, ‘Hey, brother. I feel good’. I said, ‘Listen, take care, God bless you.’ It’s life.”
Joshua has not publicly confirmed his future in boxing since the crash, leading to speculation that he could retire.
Usyk later expanded on his impressions of the conversation during a separate interview with Ready To Fight, where he reflected on Joshua’s state of mind and his own experiences of loss.
Usyk added: “I’ve already spoken with him.
“I heard a desire to continue in his voice – for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him.
“Once I spoke with the mother of my fallen comrade, and she told me, ‘Oleksandr, he would be very proud that you are continuing your work; he will watch you from heaven’.
“And he, I think, does that. And not just him, but all my loved ones who passed away defending our country. They are my guardian angels who help me in the ring.”
Joshua addressed the crash publicly for the first time in a video statement released late last month, in which he appeared visibly emotional.
He said: “The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami. We had so many plans to wrap up 2025, and we were on a mission. We went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped up on its head. God’s the best planner.
“We can plan to the best of our capabilities, but that was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our control. Not even did their parents, uncles, cousins, friends, and myself lose two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about and that have been major players in all of our lives.
“It’s tough. It’s really tough. I’m not going to sit here and show all of my emotions.
“In today’s day and age, it’s easy to microanalyse people and pass judgment, but I know what I feel, and that’s all that matters to me. I know what my duty is.”
He continued: “It’s a shame. It’s a shame… so, there’s that side of things. What can I say?
“One day, my time will come, and I’m not scared. At all. It’s actually comforting. I’ve got two brothers on the other side. I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right, you know? I was walking with giants that kept me protected.”
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