ICYMI: Anthony Joshua Loses Two Close Friends In Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash
Two close associates and long-time team members of heavyweight boxing star, Anthony Joshua, have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz. Both men had worked closely with the boxer for several years and were part of his inner circle.
Confirming the development in a statement, Matchroom Boxing expressed deep sadness over the loss.
The company also disclosed that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical checks, adding that he was in a stable condition and placed under observation.
The BBC also confirmed that the deceased were members of Joshua’s team and described them as key figures in his professional career.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that only hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele.
Who they were;
Sina Ghami served as Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. He was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London.
According to the BBC, Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator with expertise in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
Over the years, he worked with athletes across various sports, including the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the Michigan State University football team.
Ghami, who specialised in injury prevention and rehabilitation, had posted images from Lagos on social media shortly before the crash and frequently shared photos with Joshua.
Latif “Latz” Ayodele
Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer and a close confidant. Widely known as Latz, he was deeply passionate about fitness and openly expressed his commitment to Islam on his social media platforms.
He regularly shared photos with Joshua and was seen with the boxer shortly before the accident.
The accident happened at about 11 am on Monday at Makun, near the Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange inward Ibadan on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
An eyewitness said the convoy involved two vehicles: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.
Joshua was seated behind the driver in the Lexus, which had four occupants. His security team was in the vehicle behind.
The eyewitness explained that rescue efforts began immediately before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived at the scene.
Two passengers reportedly died on the spot, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.
Official reactions
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers lost their lives, while Joshua and another individual were taken to hospital.
In a statement shared on X, the police said the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Livewell Hospital morgue in Sagamu, while investigations had commenced.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, in its preliminary report, attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, adding that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with a stationary truck.
Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, a short distance from where the accident occurred.
Since the incident, tributes and condolence messages have continued to pour in from fans and public figures, honouring the memories of Ghami and Ayodele.
