Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has broken his silence following a horrific car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and team members, an event from which he narrowly escaped with his own life.
The Fatal Incident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The tragic collision occurred on December 29, 2025, as Joshua was travelling to visit relatives for the New Year. His Lexus SUV was involved in a crash on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. According to police reports, the vehicle struck a stationary car, with initial investigations suggesting the cause was a "tyre burst due to excessive speed."
The accident had devastating consequences, fatally injuring Joshua's strength coach, Sina Ghami, and his personal trainer, Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. Associates of the men described them as being far more than just colleagues to the boxer, stating they were considered "family."
A Fateful Seat Change and Emotional Aftermath
In a twist of fate that likely saved him, Joshua had moved from the front passenger seat to the back of the SUV just minutes before the impact. He was asked to switch seats because his "large physique was obstructing the view" of the driver's wing mirror.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the boxer as appearing "dazed" and "unable to speak" as he was helped from the wreckage. Although he sustained only minor physical injuries, the emotional toll was immediate and profound. While recovering in a hospital treatment room, he confided in friend and former UFC champion Kamaru Usman, remarking, "Life is short, man. Life is short."
Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Joshua shared a poignant tribute on social media, posting photographs of himself with the grieving families under the caption "My Brother's Keeper." He expressed his deep sorrow and shock, telling friends the reality of the loss "still hasn’t sunk in" and that the gravity of the situation "still hasn't hit me yet."
In a public message, he paid tribute to his fallen friends: "Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers," he wrote. "I didn't even realise how special they are. I'll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men."
Legal Proceedings and an Uncertain Future in Boxing
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has faced legal action in connection with the crash. He has been charged with four counts, including dangerous driving causing death and operating without a valid licence. A Nigerian police spokesperson confirmed the driver was granted bail but "remanded pending when he meets his bail condition" by a magistrate's court.
The tragedy has cast significant doubt on Anthony Joshua's future in professional boxing. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, has claimed the fighter has "retired from boxing" to spare his family further emotional trauma. While promoters close to the former champion acknowledge that "boxing will certainly be the last thing on his mind," Joshua himself has not yet made any formal public announcement regarding his retirement from the sport.
The two men were laid to rest following a moving service. On January 4, 2026, thousands of mourners, including Anthony Joshua, gathered at the London Central Mosque for Islamic Janaza funeral prayers. The service honoured Ghami and Ayodele, who had "played significant roles in Joshua's career," before they were buried at Hendon Cemetery.
