The boxing world has been left in mourning after two close friends and long-standing team members of Anthony Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were killed in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that also left the former heavyweight champion injured.

The tragic incident occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, when the vehicle carrying Joshua and four other adult men collided with a stationary commercial truck. According to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash happened at approximately 12:00 local time and involved a black Lexus and a red truck parked at the roadside.

Joshua Stable as Boxing World Mourns Loss of Trusted Team Members

Authorities in Ogun State confirmed that Anthony Joshua is stable and conscious following the accident and did not require emergency medical treatment at the scene. He was later taken to hospital for checks and remains under observation. Another passenger, the vehicle’s driver, also survived the crash and was rescued alongside Joshua by the boxer’s security team.

However, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, widely known as “Latz”, tragically lost their lives. Both men were described as integral members of Joshua’s inner circle, working closely with him throughout his professional boxing career.

Joshua’s promoters Matchroom Boxing released a statement expressing “deepest condolences and prayers” to the families and loved ones of the two men, describing their deaths as “profoundly sad” and asking for privacy during what they called an “incredibly difficult time”.

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn also paid tribute, saying:

“With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

‘Massive Parts of the Anthony Joshua Machine’

Sina Ghami had worked with Joshua for more than a decade as his full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach. He played a vital role in the physical preparation behind some of the biggest moments of Joshua’s career, including his iconic world title victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and his recent win over Jake Paul earlier this month.

Ghami was highly respected beyond boxing, having also worked with elite athletes such as NFL star Le’Veon Bell and NBA champion Draymond Green.

Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer and close friend, was also ever-present in Joshua’s day-to-day training life. Just hours before the crash, Joshua had shared a video on social media showing the pair playing table tennis together, underlining how close-knit the group was.

BBC boxing expert Steve Bunce described the pair as “two of Joshua’s closest friends”, explaining that they were far more than staff members.

“They’re with him all the time. He calls them his boys. They are massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.”

Tributes From Fighters, Athletes, and Fans Worldwide

Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world. Chris Eubank Jr described Ghami and Ayodele as “genuinely good men”, while Jake Paul, whom Joshua defeated in Miami earlier this month, said that “life is much more important than boxing”.

Former rugby star Sonny Bill Williams shared photographs with Joshua and Ayodele, while British boxer Shannon Courtenay reflected on how quickly circumstances had changed, describing the loss as “heartbreaking”.

The tragedy has resonated deeply throughout boxing, where Ghami and Ayodele were known figures behind the scenes, respected for their professionalism, loyalty, and friendship.

Investigation Ongoing Into Crash Circumstances

The FRSC stated that preliminary findings suggest the Lexus may have been travelling above the legal speed limit and appeared to have lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre before colliding with the stationary truck. Investigations into the full circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

Video footage from the scene showed Joshua being helped from the wreckage, visibly shaken but able to move with assistance.

Joshua’s Future Secondary Amid Personal Loss

Joshua had only recently returned to the ring after more than a year away, earning a high-profile victory over Jake Paul in a bout streamed globally. He had travelled to Nigeria to spend the New Year with family, with future fights tentatively planned for early 2026.

However, as BBC Sport noted, the emotional impact of losing two people so close to him is “impossible to measure”. For now, the boxing world’s focus remains on Joshua’s recovery and the memory of two men who played a crucial role in his life and career.