Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his two close friends killed in a car crash in Nigeria, which also injured the star boxer.

In a post on Instagram, the 36-year-old said: "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% it's tough for me, but I know it's even tougher for their parents ❤️ I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers 🙏🏾."

Joshua, a two-time world champion, was travelling in the back of a black SUV when it struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on 29 December, killing his friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

The son of ‍British-Nigerian parents, Joshua had been on holiday with his friends following his knockout victory over US YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.

Joshua suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for treatment. He was discharged on New Year's Eve.

Mr Ghami, who had been part of Joshua's team for more than a decade, was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

Mr Ayodele, an old friend of the boxer, was a personal trainer.

The driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged on four counts including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid national licence.

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The case has been adjourned to 20 January for trial.

The defendant was granted bail in the sum of 5,000,000 Naira (£2,578) and was remanded pending his bail conditions being met.