Former UFC champion, Kamaru Usman, has apologised after a private video call between him and boxing star Anthony Joshua was shared online, sparking backlash from fans and the public.
The video, which went viral earlier this week, showed Usman speaking with Joshua via FaceTime about the tragic car crash of December 29 in Nigeria that claimed the lives of Joshua’s close friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif” Ayodele.
Usman, a Nigerian-American mixed martial artist, admitted he made a mistake by allowing the sensitive conversation to be recorded and released.
Reacting to the criticism, Usman said the recording happened unintentionally while preparations were ongoing for his AKO MMA event in Lagos.
“After seeing what’s being written it’s quite heartbreaking,” Usman said.
“Being on camera that whole day in preparation for The AKO show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded. I realized after and asked about it.”
He took full responsibility for the incident, stressing that he never meant to expose a private moment shared with a grieving friend.
“I take full responsibility for not properly watching the video that was released and keeping my private conversation with my brother, AJ, private. SMH,” he said.
“Big L on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend or brother.”
The clip showed Joshua speaking emotionally about the crash, which happened along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and left him with minor injuries.
Joshua has since broken his silence publicly, describing the loss of Ghami and Ayodele as painful.
“I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts,” Joshua said.
“May God have mercy on my brothers.”
