A rare video of British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua at the burial of his two close friends has ignited a wave of reactions and concern across social media platforms.
Viral Video from a Solemn Occasion
The footage, posted by a TikTok user with the handle @jouelsbracelet_by_samara, captured moments from the funeral service held in London on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The service was for Kevin Abdul Latif and Sina Ghami, Joshua's friends who tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Nigeria.
The incident occurred on December 29, 2025, along a major road in Ogun State. According to reports, the car carrying the three men and their driver collided with a stationary truck. While Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in a police van due to the unavailability of an immediate ambulance, his two friends did not survive.
Mixed Reactions to Joshua's Demeanor
In the trending video, Anthony Joshua is seen interacting with attendees, hugging and greeting people. The poster captioned the clip, "Anthony Joshua giving someone a hug, appreciates his fans." However, it was the boxer's apparent smiles and seemingly normal demeanor that became the focal point for many viewers.
Social media users were divided in their interpretations. Some expressed deep concern, suggesting that his cheerful appearance was unexpected for someone in mourning who had witnessed such a traumatic event.
One user, Jazz, commented: "He doesn't look sad in any video." Another, Hennessy, questioned: "Sorry to say but why is he smiling? He lost his 2 best friends... it's not up to a month his friend passed away in his country and he is already laughing?"
A comment from Olu Daniels raised a specific alarm: "AJ should be monitored closely. If any trigger appears in his mind, he might do the unthinkable. People like this often smile on the outside, but inside, the situation differs."
Defence and Psychological Perspective
Not all reactions were critical. Some netizens came to the boxer's defence, arguing that grief manifests differently in everyone and that public appearances do not reflect private pain.
User Beatz_Flowz countered the critics, asking: "As if people are questioning his reactions. Do you want him to be crying with toilet rolls in each hand? Not everything is what it seems. Being alone behind closed doors is where the real battle is."
Another user, __arrt__, offered a psychological insight: "'He doesn't look sad'... 'He's smiling'... do y'all know some people mourn after funerals?... Once everyone goes back to their respective homes, that's when reality hits you." This sentiment was echoed by krazy_sheddie, who noted: "You see people that smile a lot like me are actually dying inside."
The online conversation has expanded beyond Joshua's demeanor to include broader discussions about mental health, the expectations placed on public figures during personal tragedy, and the nature of grief.
