British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is recovering in hospital after being involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.
The Tragic Accident
The devastating incident occurred on a major road near Lagos, Nigeria. The Lexus vehicle carrying Joshua, his personal trainer Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami collided with a stationary truck.
Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) stated that early investigations indicated the car "experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed" and subsequently "lost control".
Tragically, Ayodele and Ghami were pronounced dead at the scene. Joshua and the driver were rescued from the wreckage and taken to a hospital in Sagamu for medical treatment.
Joshua's Condition and the Victims
According to an official statement from Ogun state government, Joshua is stable and conscious and did not require emergency medical help. However, sources close to the boxer told the Daily Mail that his injuries may be more serious than initially reported.
His promoters, Matchroom Boxing, and his management company, 258 BXG, confirmed the tragic news in a joint statement. They offered their "deepest condolences and prayers" to the families and friends of the deceased, who were described as "integral" to Joshua's team.
Boxing expert Steve Bunce, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, emphasised the profound loss, describing Ghami and Ayodele as "two of Joshua's closest friends" who had been with him "if not from the start, at least very early on".
"He calls them his boys. They're more than that. They are friends," Bunce said. "Sina and Latz are massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine."
Profiles of the Lost Friends
Sina Ghami had worked as Joshua's full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for over a decade. He played a crucial role in preparing Joshua for historic fights, including his 2017 title win against Wladimir Klitschko and his recent victory over Jake Paul earlier in December 2025.
Based in Dubai and a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London, Ghami was a qualified rehabilitator who also worked with high-profile athletes from the NBA and NFL, including Draymond Green and Le'Veon Bell.
Latif Ayodele, affectionately known as 'Latz', was Joshua's personal trainer and an old friend from before his boxing fame. His first Instagram post in 5 featured Joshua after he won his first heavyweight world title.
Ayodele was also a former non-league footballer. In a poignant twist, Joshua had posted a video on Instagram of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele just hours before the fatal crash. A fundraiser set up in his memory to build a mosque has already raised over £37,000.
Context and Aftermath
Joshua, who was born in Watford but has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, had been in Nigeria following his win over Jake Paul on 19 December. He was travelling from Lagos to join family in Sagamu for New Year celebrations when the accident happened.
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn paid a heartfelt tribute, saying: "With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz."
Rob Madden, a former physio for Joshua, remembered Sina Ghami as a man with a "huge heart", who always checked on people's wellbeing before discussing business.
The boxing world and fans now await further updates on Joshua's recovery while mourning the profound loss of two key figures in his tight-knit team.
