The weight of grief settled heavily on Anthony Joshua, a silence broken only when he finally addressed the world about the devastating loss of two men he considered brothers: Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. They were tragically killed in a car crash in Nigeria on December 29th, an event that shook Joshua to his core, despite his own escape with minor injuries.
For weeks, Joshua remained largely unseen, processing the unimaginable. Then, a video emerged – a raw, heartfelt tribute delivered with visible emotion. He spoke not of boxing accolades, but of a profound personal void. “This is the best way I could reach out…during that tragic, traumatic time,” he began, his voice thick with sorrow, acknowledging the outpouring of support from around the globe.
The accident, he explained, shattered plans for a future brimming with ambition. They had been mapping out 2025, a mission cut short by a cruel twist of fate. Joshua wrestled with the suddenness of it all, acknowledging the helplessness in the face of an unforeseen tragedy. It wasn’t just a loss for him, but for their families, their friends – for everyone who knew the impact these men had.
Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, and Ayodele, his personal trainer and a steadfast friend since his early professional days, were more than just colleagues. They were integral to his journey, “major, major players in all of our lives.” He paused, fighting back tears, admitting the depth of the pain was almost unbearable.
Joshua confessed a newfound understanding of their importance, a realization that struck him with full force after the accident. He spoke of facing his own mortality, finding solace in the thought of having “two brothers on the other side.” He’d always been the one in the spotlight, but now understood he’d been walking alongside giants, shielded and protected by their unwavering support.
He described them as brothers first, then business partners, confidants, and housemates – a bond forged through shared struggles and triumphs. The weight of their absence was a “shame,” a word repeated with a quiet desperation that spoke volumes.
Despite the immense sorrow, Joshua vowed to honor their memory not with empty gestures, but with action. He spoke of a duty to help their families and to continue pursuing the dreams they held dear. It wasn’t about building a legacy, he insisted, but about “doing what’s right” – fulfilling a promise to those he loved.
Latif Ayodele, a dedicated Muslim who converted to Islam in 2012, had been a constant presence in Joshua’s corner since his world title victory in 2016. His Instagram feed was a testament to their close relationship, filled with moments of camaraderie and shared laughter. Just hours before the crash, a simple video of them playing table tennis offered a poignant glimpse of happier times.
Sina Ghami, the co-founder of Evolve Gym, was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries. He was there for Joshua’s defining moment against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, a silent force behind a historic victory. His last post, a fleeting shot of Joshua’s motorcade in Lagos, now carries a heartbreaking weight.
Joshua concluded his tribute with a heartfelt thank you to the countless individuals who had offered their condolences. He acknowledged the “millions around the world” who had sent messages, tweets, and prayers, assuring them that their support had been deeply felt. He addressed the families directly – “Mama Latz, Mama Sina, Pappa Latz, Pappa Sina” – offering a promise of unwavering support and love.
