Two members of Anthony Joshua’s entourage who died in the car crash in Nigeria have been named as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Joshua, 36, was travelling in a Lexus SUV which crashed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, Nigeria, shortly after 11am on Monday.
The two men who died at the scene were Ghami, who was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, who was his personal trainer. Ghami and Ayodele were both long-time friends of the former two-time heavyweight world champion.
Hours before the crash, Joshua posted an Instagram story of him and Ayodele, known as ‘Latz’, playing table tennis.
Joshua, who was sat behind the driver’s seat, was seen grimacing in pain as he was helped out of the crashed Lexus and into another vehicle which took him to hospital.
The Lexus was suspected to be travelling at ‘beyond the legally prescribed speed limit’ when it lost control during an ‘overtaking manoeuvre’ and hit the truck, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, shared a statement on Monday evening which revealed that the boxer was still in hospital ‘in a stable condition’.
‘Anthony Joshua was involved in a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier today,’ the statement read.
‘With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.
‘Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.
Who were Anthony Joshua’s friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami?
Throughout his time in boxing, Anthony Joshua has kept a close-knit circle of friends and associates around him, plenty of those working silently behind the scenes during his ascent to the summit of the sport.
Both Ghami and Ayodele were part of that group, considered good friends having worked closely with him for years.
Who is Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele?
‘Latz’ is a long-time friend of Joshua’s and has been part of the AJ team going all the way back to his maiden world title victory over Charles Martin in 2016.
Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer and a dedicated Muslim having converted to Isam in 2012.
His Instagram feed is littered with images and videos of him alongside Joshua in the gym and relaxing away from it.
Just hours before the crash, he shared a video on Instagram of him and Joshua smiling and laughing over a game of table tennis.
Latif worked with a number of other prominent sports men and women with New Zealand rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams among those paying tribute.
According to his Facebook profile, he attended St Joan of Arc Catholic School in Rickmansworth, a few miles from Joshua’s hometown of Watford.
Who is Sina Ghami?
Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, a role he held for more than a decade.
He was also the co-founder of Evolve Gym in London. Their website states Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
Ghami was at Joshua’s side throughout his career, including his crowing moment against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017.
His last Instagram story appeared to be a shot of Joshua’s motorcade through Lagos.
‘Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.
‘No further comment will be made at this time.’
Hearn posted in a separate message: ‘With the heaviest of hearts 💔 Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.’
Jake Paul, who was knocked out in the sixth round by Joshua in their fight in Miami earlier this month, led the tributes on social media.
‘RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif / Latz” Ayodele,’ Paul posted on X. ‘My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ.’
Chris Eubank Jr wrote: ‘Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina & their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys.’
A third boxer, Ellie Scotney, posted: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking to hear the news on the passing of Latz and Sina, Rest in perfect peace. I pray God brings comfort to Anthony, the family and friends in this moment.’
Nigeria President, Bola Tinubu, revealed he had spoken to Joshua after the crash.
‘I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care,’ Tinubu posted on social media.
‘I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the call.’
An Ogun police command statement read: ‘The vehicle conveying Mr Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated. Joshua, seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical attention with another injured person.
‘Tragically, two other passengers in the vehicle lost their lives at the scene. The deceased have been conveyed to Livewell hospital morgue, Sagamu. The Ogun state police command extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assures the public that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has commenced.’
CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Commissioner of Ogun State Police, who said: ‘I can confirm an accident occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to hospital.
‘A vehicle rammed into a stationary vehicle. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities. Anthony Joshua was treated by first-responders at the scene and then taken to hospital.’
An eyewitness told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.
‘Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed.
‘His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.
‘Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.’
The iconic boxer posted on his Instagram story earlier on Monday morning, showing a video of him playing table tennis with a friend.
Joshua has family connections to Nigeria, specifically the town of Sagamu in Ogun State. AJ has made his connection to Africa clear through a tattoo of the continent on his right shoulder.
Joshua was visiting Nigeria shortly after his money-spinning win over Paul in Miami on December 19.
AJ stopped the American in the sixth round of their controversial heavyweight clash which left Paul with a jaw broken in two places.
After the victory, Joshua turned his attention to Tyson Fury and the possibility of a long-awaited scrap in 2026.
‘If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenge, step into the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy,’ Joshua said.
‘Don’t do all that talking: “AJ this, AJ that”. Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.’
Hearn said: ‘We want the Tyson Fury fight of course. That’s the fight, the biggest fight.
‘We can do that, by the way, straight away. No interim fights. If Tyson’s ready and AJ is ready, we don’t have to fight in February or March. I think he’s saying eight weeks, 24 hours to sign a contract.’
Later in the day, the Ogun state government said Joshua was conscious and had been in touch with his family.
‘Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos,’ the statement read.
‘Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
‘A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.’
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