Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to his two friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who died in a car crash near Lagos, Nigeria. The British heavyweight boxer attended their funerals and is now back in the UK recovering from minor injuries sustained in the accident.
The crash occurred on Monday when the vehicle Joshua was travelling in collided with a stationary truck on a major road. Joshua was pulled from the wreckage and treated in hospital before being discharged. In a social media post, he shared a black-and-white image of his friends and wrote: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.”
Joshua added: “100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.” The post drew condolences from fellow boxers including Richard Riakporhe, Abdullah Mason, Dalton Smith and Adam Azim.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged over the crash at Sagamu Magistrate Court. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps suggested speeding and an overtake attempt were factors, but the state police commissioner told ESPN a burst tyre caused the driver to lose control and swerve into the stationary truck.
Joshua, born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was on holiday following his sixth-round knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December. He had been scheduled to fight again in February, likely in Saudi Arabia, with a potential bout against Tyson Fury mooted for 2026.
