The silence in Lagos was shattered by the screech of metal on asphalt. A routine drive, a moment of respite for Anthony Joshua just nine days after his victory over Jake Paul, had turned into a nightmare. The Lexus Jeep, carrying the boxing star, collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, forever altering the course of several lives.
The immediate aftermath was chaos. Joshua, visibly shaken and injured, was carefully extracted from the wreckage. But the true devastation lay in the loss of two men who were far more than just part of his entourage – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, close friends and integral members of Joshua’s inner circle, were gone.
News of the tragedy reached President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who immediately extended his condolences and spoke directly with Joshua. He found a champion grappling with unimaginable grief, assured of the best possible medical care, yet profoundly impacted by the sudden loss. The President also spoke with Joshua’s mother, Yeta Odusanya, who had rushed to her son’s side.
Hours before the crash, a video surfaced – a simple, joyful moment of Joshua and Ayodele, affectionately known as ‘Latz,’ sharing a game of table tennis. Laughter filled the frame, a stark contrast to the sorrow that would soon engulf them. Ayodele, a dedicated personal trainer and a man who found solace in his faith, had been a constant presence in Joshua’s journey since his first world title win in 2016.
Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, was the other life lost. He wasn’t just a trainer; he was a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries, a co-founder of Evolve Gym, and a steadfast companion through Joshua’s most defining moments, including the epic battle against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley. His last social media post, a glimpse of Joshua’s motorcade through Lagos, now carries a heartbreaking weight.
Initial reports suggested minor injuries for Joshua, but concerns linger about the extent of his condition. He remains under observation at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, while those around him, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, work to ensure he receives the best possible attention. The boxing world, and a nation, holds its breath.
The tragedy resonated far beyond the boxing ring. Jake Paul, Joshua’s recent opponent, offered his condolences, acknowledging the fragility of life and the importance of those lost. The outpouring of grief speaks to the profound impact Ghami and Ayodele had on those who knew them, and the deep respect they commanded within Joshua’s team.
President Tinubu, in a heartfelt message, extended his prayers to the families and friends of both men, acknowledging the immense pain of their untimely passing. The weight of this loss is immeasurable, a stark reminder that even in the world of champions, life’s most devastating blows can come unexpectedly.
