Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his two friends who died in a recent car crash

Joshua, 36 - who sustained minor injuries in the crash, before returning to the UK - wrote on Instagram: "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)"

Joshua and another man - the vehicle's driver - were rescued by the sports star's security team, following a collision with a stationary truck near Lagos.

Joshua, the former heavyweight world champion, was spending time in Nigeria following his recent victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, Florida.

Paul actually took to social media after the crash to express his sympathises.

He wrote on X: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident."

Joshua - who won a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012 and is one of the richest athletes in the UK - defeated Paul in six rounds during their clash in the US.

He said after their fight: "It wasn't the best performance.

"The end goal was to pin Jake Paul down and hurt him. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination."

Joshua subsequently called for a long-awaited fight against Tyson Fury, his British rival.

He said at the time: "Come and fight one of the 'realest' fighters out there, step in there with me next if you're a really bad boy."