Tributes to Joshua team members after fatal crash as boxer ‘stable’

The British heavyweight boxer was hurt in a car crash in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two of Anthony Joshua’s “close friends and team members.”

On a major road near Lagos, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele died when the car they were driving collided with a stationary truck along with Joshua and another passenger.

Joshua is stable and awake, and the government of Ogun state claims that he is unharmed.

The family and friends of Ghami and Ayodele, who was also known as “Latz,” were presented with their “deepest condolences and prayers” by Joshua’s promoters Matchroom.

A statement read, “With deep sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, tragically passed away,” read.

Anthony was taken to the hospital for checks and treatment, according to Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG. He will remain there for observation because he is stable.

Our condolences and prayers go out to all the families and friends of those who have been affected, and we ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.

Eddie Hearn, the matchroom chairman, said “with the heaviest of hearts.” Two outstanding men Sina and Latz, rest in peace forever. Everyone in my thoughts and my heartfelt condolences.

Ghami worked with Joshua for more than ten years and was his full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach.

He assisted the former heavyweight champion in getting ready for some of his best fights, including this month’s win over Jake Paul and his title-winning fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.

Le’Veon Bell’s running back Le’Veon Bell and Draymond Green, both former Golden State Warriors running back, have also worked with Ghami.

Joshua and his long-time friend Ayodele, a personal trainer, shared a video on Instagram just hours before the collision.

According to boxing expert Steve Bunce, Ghami and Ayodele are “two of Joshua’s closest friends.”

They’ve been with him from the beginning, at least very early. Sina is AJ’s strength and conditioning coach, and Lacz is his personal trainer. They are always with him, Buce said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

They are called his boys by him. More than that, they are. They have a friendship. Although they may have demanding jobs, he may have them as his personal trainer, dietitian, or nutritionist. They are close friends, and he enjoys that close relationship.

Among those honoring Ghami and Ayodele was fellow boxer Chris Eubank Jr., who referred to them as “genuinely good men.”

The British middleweight champion thanked God that no one else who had survived that terrible car crash. And remember the families of the two fallen soldiers, Latz and Sina andamp;. Both men were genuinely good men, and I knew about them. Boys, please rest in peace.

After halting American YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in the sixth round of their Miami fight earlier this month, Joshua was in Nigeria.

Paul remarked in a letter to X that “life is much more important than boxing.” I’m praying for all those who have lost their lives, including AJ, and those who have been a victim of today’s tragic accident.

Sonny Bill Williams, a former New Zealand rugby player, wrote in a message to Joshua and Latif: “Rest easy brother Abdul Latif, may the most high make it easy for your loved ones.”

“RIP Sina and Latz, two good guys,” said British bantamweight Shannon Courtenay. You were absent today because life is really too short for us in Miami where we all had fun last week. In this terrible situation, may the Lord look over their loved ones.

Joshua was escorted out of a wrecked, large car, according to the scene video.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria had five adult men in total in the accident.

The boxer’s security team also rescued Joshua and the other man, the driver of the car, according to them.

On Monday, around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT), the incident took place on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway between two vehicles, a black Lexus and a stationary red commercial truck.

Based on preliminary findings, the FRSC claimed that the Lexus was “suspected to be traveling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit.”

After more than a year away, Joshua had only recently defeated Jake Paul on Netflix in a huge pay day, and he was in Nigeria to celebrate the New Year with his family.

Joshua intended to contest once more in Saudi Arabia in February, before moving on to the much-anticipated Tyson Fury fight in 2026. These plans, however, seem secondary at this time.

The emotional impact of Joshua’s loss, which included his long-term strength and conditioning coach Ghami, is unfathomable. After winning over Paul, Gamami joined him in the ring throughout fight week in Miami.