UFC star Kamaru Usman has issued a public apology after a FaceTime conversation with former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was shared online, sparking backlash.
The conversation, which appeared in a YouTube video posted by Usman on Wednesday, captured Joshua speaking emotionally about the deaths of two close friends who were killed in a car crash.
Joshua survived the accident, which occurred on December 29 along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, but lost Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in the crash. He was pulled from the wreckage and taken to Duchess International Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.
In the footage, Joshua is seen lying in a treatment room with bandages wrapped around his head and torso as he spoke to Usman about the tragedy. He admitted during the call that the reality of the loss had not yet fully sunk in.
The call took place while Joshua was recovering from his injuries and ahead of a mixed martial arts event held in Lagos on December 30.
Following the release of a short clip from the video, Usman faced criticism from fans and observers who questioned why such a private moment was made public.
Responding to the backlash via his Instagram story on Thursday, Usman apologised and took responsibility for the oversight.
“After seeing what’s being written, it’s quite heartbreaking,” he wrote. “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.”
