Ex-UFC Champion, Kamaru Usman Apologises After Private FaceTime Call With Anthony Joshua Is Shared Online

Anthony Joshua and Kamaru Usman

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has publicly apologized after a private FaceTime call with former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was leaked online without his consent.

The clip, which appeared in a YouTube video shared by Usman on Wednesday, showed an emotional exchange between the two athletes following a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends.

The conversation took place on December 30 while Joshua was still recovering from injuries sustained in the crash and shortly before an MMA event in Lagos.

Joshua survived the accident on December 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which killed the boxer’s close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Joshua was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Duchess International Hospital, where he received treatment. In the footage, the boxer is seen lying in a treatment room with bandages around his head and torso as he opens up to Usman about the loss. He admitted that the reality of what had happened was yet to fully register.

During the recorded call, Usman asked about the seating arrangement in the black Lexus at the time of the crash.

Joshua replied, “One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet.”

“I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now,” Usman responded.

“Life is short, man. Life is short. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time,” Joshua said.

“I know. It’s a funny way how things move, you know? We thank God,” Usman replied.

“You scared the world. It’s crazy because, obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bull**** every time, and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you,” Usman added.

Anthony Joshua speaking to Kamaru Usman whilst still in hospital, following his recent crash. 🚨pic.twitter.com/YuISttaaex

— Cloudbet (@Cloudbet) January 8, 2026

The release of the clip sparked criticism online, with many questioning why such a sensitive moment had been made public. Responding to the backlash via his Instagram story on Thursday, Usman accepted responsibility and apologised for not keeping the conversation private.

He wrote, “After seeing what’s being written, it’s quite heartbreaking. Being on camera that whole day in preparation for The AKO Show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded.

“I realised afterwards and asked about it. I take full responsibility for not properly reviewing the video that was released and for failing to keep my private conversation with my brother, AJ, private. SMH. Big L on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend or brother.”

After seeing what’s being written it’s quite heartbreaking. 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. I take full responsibility for not properly watching…

— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 8, 2026