The family of Anthony Joshua has issued an update after the boxer was involved in a fatal car crash.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion was taken to the hospital on Monday, December 29, while traveling in Nigeria, where he had been heading to visit his family home.
The 36-year-old was a passenger in a black Lexus SUV alongside his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.
Their vehicle collided with a stationary red commercial Sinotruck in north-east Lagos, resulting in the deaths of both Ayodele and Ghami.
The two men were members of Joshua’s inner circle and close personal friends of the boxer.
Who were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele?
Ghami was a co-founder of London-based Evolve Gym. According to the gym’s website, he was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialized in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
He had previously worked with elite athletes across the NFL and the NBA.
Latif Ayodele served as Joshua’s personal trainer. His commitment to fitness was evident across his social media platforms, where he also spoke openly about his faith.
In a pinned post from 2020, he wrote: “Finding Islam in 2012 has been my biggest blessing.”
Tributes pour in
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to the pair, describing them as ‘great men.’
“With the heaviest of hearts,” Hearn wrote on Instagram. “Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”
Matchroom Boxing, the promotional company chaired by Hearn, also released a statement confirming the deaths.
“With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.”
Anthony Joshua called out Tyson Fury after Jake Paul win
Joshua had been in the headlines earlier this month after defeating Jake Paul in a boxing bout in Miami on December 19.
He dropped Paul four times before securing a sixth-round knockout victory.
Speaking after the fight, Joshua said: “It wasn’t the best performance,” before turning his attention to long-time rival Tyson Fury.
“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.”
Following Monday’s crash, however, sources have suggested that plans for the proposed mega-fight are now uncertain, according to the Daily Mail.
Concerns over Joshua’s injuries following crash
Images taken at the scene showed Joshua grimacing as he was helped from the wreckage along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
He was taken to hospital for treatment and, while his injuries were initially described as minor, the Mail reports that those close to the boxer fear they may be more serious than first indicated.
One individual within Joshua’s inner circle suggested the possibility of rib and knee injuries, despite Nigerian authorities playing down the extent of the damage.
A spokesperson for Joshua issued a statement on Monday evening, saying: “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.”
Joshua’s family issues heartbreaking update
A relative of Joshua has also spoken of the family’s shock and sadness in the aftermath of the crash.
The unnamed family member told the BBC they had been expecting Joshua to arrive for New Year celebrations, having not seen him over the festive period.
They said: “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace.”
They added: “He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.”
Nigerian authorities have issued preliminary findings into the cause of the crash, attributing it to excessive speed and ‘wrongful overtaking.’
In a statement shared on X, the Federal Road Safety Corps said: “Preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.
“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways.”
