Kamaru Usman, the Nigerian-American mixed martial artist, has issued a public apology after a private video call with British boxer Anthony Joshua was leaked to the media.Usman expressed deep regret over the incident, which sparked backlash across the boxing and MMA communities. The controversy arose because the video surfaced only hours after Joshua survived a serious car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
In the leaked footage, Joshua and Usman were seen speaking from a medical treatment area shortly after the crash. Although Joshua sustained only minor injuries, many fans criticised Usman for allowing the video to be released, citing the emotional sensitivity of the moment.
Joshua had been travelling in a Lexus SUV when it collided with the rear of a stationary vehicle outside Lagos. The crash killed two of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, while Joshua was taken to hospital for treatment.
Tributes have poured in on social media for Ghami and Ayodele, with Joshua attending both funerals and pledging lifelong support for their families. His commitment has drawn widespread praise and sympathy from fans worldwide.
Explaining how the video was leaked, Usman admitted responsibility. He said he had been filming content throughout the day for an MMA-related project and failed to realise that his conversation with Joshua was included in the final edit that was later posted on Instagram.
Usman said the clip was not meant to be shared publicly and apologised for the distress it caused. Joshua has not directly addressed the leak. Instead, he thanked fans for their support and compassion, urging them to continue showing love to the families of his late friends who died in the tragic accident.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
