British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been involved in a serious road traffic accident in Nigeria that resulted in the tragic deaths of two close members of his team.
The Fatal Incident on a Busy Highway
The collision occurred on Monday at approximately 11am local time along the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Makun. According to official reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria, Joshua was travelling in a Lexus Jeep which is suspected to have been exceeding the legal speed limit. The vehicle reportedly lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and collided with a stationary truck parked at the roadside.
A total of five adult males were involved in the crash. Joshua was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a nearby specialised medical facility in Lagos with what were described as minor injuries. The Ogun state government confirmed he was conscious and had been in contact with his family. Medical assessments found him to be in a stable condition, requiring observation but no emergency intervention.
Heartbreaking Loss of Key Team Members
Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of two integral figures from Joshua's inner circle. His team confirmed in an official statement the deaths of strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
The statement expressed "deepest and most profound sadness," describing both men as close friends and essential team members. It respectfully requested privacy for the grieving families as they process the "truly shocking and devastating news."
Celebrity Tributes and a Nation's Condolences
The boxing world and beyond have been sharing heartfelt messages of condolence. Fellow professional boxer Shannon Courtenay posted a moving tribute on her Instagram Stories, writing: "RIP Sina & Latz. Two good guys. Last week we're all having fun in Miami and today your [sic] gone, life really is too short." She urged followers to hold their loved ones tight, adding a broken heart emoji.
Myles Stephenson from the band Rak-Su also paid tribute on social media, sharing an image of Ayodele with the caption: "My brother. Will miss talking smack to you man."
On a national level, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offered his sympathies to Joshua in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He stated the tragedy "casts a deep shadow on this season" and praised Joshua's qualities of courage and discipline, which have made him a "source of national pride." The President offered prayers for strength and a speedy recovery.
Investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash are now underway by Nigerian authorities. The incident comes shortly after Joshua's high-profile return to the ring, where he secured a victory over Jake Paul.
