Anthony Joshua understands his "duty" after losing two of his close friends in a recent car crash

The 36-year-old sports star said in a video message: "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 upside on its head."

The Olympic gold medallist admitted that it's been "tough" to cope with losing two of his closest friends.

Joshua said: "Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose like two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about.

"[They were] major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives - it's tough, it's really tough."

Joshua has turned to his faith following the tragedy, and the sports star is convinced that he'll be reunited with his friends in the afterlife.

He said: "One day my time will come, and I'm not scared either at all. It's actually comforting knowing that I've got two brothers on the other side."

Joshua is also determined to live his life to the fullest moving forwards.

The boxer - who is one of Britain's best-paid sportsmen - said: "The mission must go on ... I understand my duty.

"I'm gonna do what's right by them. I'm gonna do what's right by their family."

Joshua previously took to Instagram to pay tribute to his friends.

He wrote: "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 percent it's tough for me, but I know it's even tougher for their parents [heart emoji] I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers [prayer emoji] (sic)"