Anthony Joshua, the 2012 Olympic heavyweight champion, has paid a heartfelt tribute to his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed in a car accident in Nigeria last week. Joshua described the deaths of his friends as “tough” and expressed his grief while honoring their memory.

“Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” Joshua posted on Instagram. “I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men. 100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

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Details of the Tragic Accident

Ghami and Ayodele died when the vehicle they were traveling in, along with Joshua and another passenger, collided with a stationary truck near Lagos. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash and later returned to the United Kingdom, where he attended the funeral at a mosque in London on Sunday.

• Sina Ghami had worked with Joshua for over a decade as his full-time sports and exercise rehabilitation coach.
• Latif Ayodele, also a personal trainer, had been a close friend and training partner.

Hours before the accident, Joshua had shared a video of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele, highlighting their close friendship and daily camaraderie.

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Legal Proceedings

The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared at Sagamu Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He was granted bail of 5 million naira (£2,578), with the case adjourned until 20 January pending fulfillment of bail conditions.

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Joshua’s Connection to Nigeria

Joshua, who was born in Watford, England, has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, near the crash site. He had been in Nigeria to visit relatives during the New Year celebrations, following his recent boxing victory over Jake Paul on 19 December 2025.

During his time in the country, Joshua spent significant moments with Ghami and Ayodele, emphasizing the close personal and professional bonds he shared with both men.

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Support and Condolences

Joshua shared photos on Instagram of him sitting with family members of the victims, including the mothers of Ghami and Ayodele, as well as a picture of himself holding a photograph of Ghami. The posts highlighted the depth of his grief and his desire to honor the memory of his friends.

In the aftermath, UFC fighter Kamaru Usman issued an apology after a private video call with Joshua in hospital was posted online without proper context. Usman said he “takes full responsibility” for sharing the clip publicly.

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Remembering Ghami and Ayodele

Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were key figures in Joshua’s training team, helping him maintain peak physical condition and mental focus throughout his boxing career. Their tragic deaths have deeply affected Joshua and the wider boxing community, highlighting the profound personal bonds athletes develop with their coaching and support teams.

“I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts,” Joshua added, underscoring the spiritual significance of his friendship with the two men.