TWO close friends and long-time team members of world-renowned Nigerian-British boxing star Anthony Joshua have been identified as the victims of the fatal road accident that occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the victims, Sina Ghami and Abdullatif “Latz” Ayodele, were confirmed dead in an official statement issued by Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promotional company, bringing global attention and deep sorrow to the tragedy.
“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” Matchroom Boxing said.
The company also confirmed that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical checks and treatment, adding that the former heavyweight champion was in stable condition and under observation.
The BBC similarly confirmed that the two men killed in the crash were members of Joshua’s inner circle, describing them as trusted teammates who had worked closely with him for years.
Adding to the emotional weight of the incident, PUNCH Online reported that just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz.
Who Were They?
Sina Ghami
Sina Ghami served as Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, playing a key role in the boxer’s physical preparation during some of the most defining moments of his career.
Ghami was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London and was widely respected in elite sports circles. According to the BBC, he was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator, specialising in musculoskeletal injuries, corrective exercise, and injury prevention.
Over the years, Ghami worked with athletes across various disciplines, including the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Michigan State University football team.
He had shared several social media posts from Lagos shortly before the accident and frequently posted photos with Joshua, reflecting a bond that went beyond professional collaboration.
Abdullatif “Latz” Ayodele
Abdullatif Ayodele, fondly called Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer and a constant presence in his daily training routines.
His social media pages reflected a deep commitment to fitness, discipline, and faith, with regular posts showcasing his passion for health and his devotion to Islam. Ayodele often shared photos and videos with Joshua, highlighting their close working relationship and personal friendship.
He was reportedly with the boxer shortly before the accident occurred.
As earlier reported by News Point Nigeria, the accident occurred around 11:00 am on Monday at Makun, near Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange inward Ibadan on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
An eyewitness said the convoy involved two vehicles, a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.
“It was a two-vehicle convoy. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus. His security detail was in the vehicle behind,” the eyewitness said.
He added that the vehicle reportedly collided with a stationary truck, after which passersby and other road users assisted in rescue efforts before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived at the scene.
According to the eyewitness, two occupants of the Lexus died instantly, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers died at the scene, while Joshua and another occupant were taken to hospital for treatment.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the police said the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, while investigations into the crash had commenced.
Preliminary findings by the FRSC attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before crashing into the stationary truck.
Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents and attended boarding school in Ikenne, just a few kilometres from the crash site, has since received an overwhelming outpouring of condolences.
Fans, athletes, and public figures across the world have taken to social media to mourn Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, paying tribute to their professionalism, loyalty, and the vital roles they played in Joshua’s life and career.