Anthony Joshua breaks silence after crash that killed two friends

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is in stable condition after a devastating road traffic accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that claimed the lives of two close friends and key members of his team.

In a statement released by Joshua’s management and promoter Matchroom Boxing, it was confirmed with “profound sadness” that Sina Ghami and Latif (also known as Kevin ‘Lateef’ or ‘Latz’) Ayodele tragically passed away in the crash on December 29.

Ghami, a renowned strength and conditioning coach who co-founded Evolve Gym in London, had worked closely with Joshua for over a decade, enhancing his power and endurance.

Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, was a dedicated fitness expert whose passion extended to humanitarian efforts in Nigeria.

The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his team collided with a stationary truck.

Preliminary reports from Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps cited excessive speed and a wrongful overtaking maneuver as contributing factors, though Ogun State police later mentioned a possible tire burst causing loss of control.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a notorious stretch linking Nigeria’s economic hub to other regions, has long been criticized for high fatality rates due to heavy traffic, poor maintenance, and frequent breakdowns.

Joshua, seated in the rear, sustained injuries but was described as conscious and communicating with family.

He was evacuated to a specialized facility in Lagos for observation, with authorities confirming no emergency interventions were needed.

The 36-year-old British-Nigerian boxer, fresh off a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, was visiting his ancestral homeland during the holiday season.

Hours before the crash, social media posts showed Joshua enjoying lighthearted moments, including playing table tennis with Ayodele.

Tributes poured in from the boxing world, including from opponent Jake Paul, who wrote: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted.” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally called Joshua to offer condolences.

Matchroom Boxing emphasized privacy for the bereaved families, stating: “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected.”