The silence in the aftermath was deafening. Anthony Joshua, a figure known for his power and resilience, found himself pulled from the wreckage of a car crash in Nigeria, a scene of twisted metal and unimaginable loss. The New Year would begin under a shadow, marked by the tragic deaths of two close friends and members of his training team.
The Lexus SUV, carrying Joshua and his companions, collided with a stationary vehicle on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Initial investigations point to a catastrophic tyre blowout, occurring at speed, as the cause of the devastating accident. The vehicle spun out of control, the impact instantly claiming the lives of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele.
Joshua, thankfully, survived. He was quickly transported to Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, where he remains under observation. Reports indicate his condition is stable, and surgery is not currently required, but he will be held for further care as he recovers from the ordeal. His mother, Yeta Odusanya, rushed to his side, a testament to the deep familial bonds that anchor the champion.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the boxing world and beyond. Ghami and Ayodele weren’t simply part of Joshua’s professional circle; they were integral to his journey, trusted friends who stood with him through years of dedication and triumph. Their absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt.
Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, a dedicated Muslim who converted to Islam in 2012, had been a constant presence in Joshua’s life since his first world title victory in 2016. He served as Joshua’s personal trainer, a quiet force pushing him to excel. Just hours before the tragedy, a video surfaced of the two men sharing a lighthearted moment over a game of table tennis – a poignant reminder of the joy stolen by fate.
Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, was a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise. He co-founded Evolve Gym in London, dedicating his expertise to helping athletes reach their peak performance. Ghami was there for Joshua’s defining moment against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, a silent architect of that historic victory.
The family endured agonizing hours trying to locate Joshua in the immediate aftermath, hampered by his public profile and the chaos surrounding the incident. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, spoke of the desperate attempts to ascertain his nephew’s well-being, finally receiving reassurance from Joshua’s parents, also in Nigeria.
Tributes are pouring in from across the sporting world, recognizing the profound impact Ayodele and Ghami had on Joshua’s career and on the lives of those who knew them. They were more than just trainers and coaches; they were confidants, supporters, and cherished friends, now remembered with immense sadness and respect.
