Tributes Paid as Two Members of Anthony Joshua’s Team Die in Fatal Nigeria Crash

Tributes have poured in from across the boxing world following the deaths of two close friends and team members of Anthony Joshua in a road accident in Nigeria that also left the British heavyweight boxer injured.

Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling, alongside Joshua and another passenger, collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos. Local authorities confirmed that Joshua is stable, conscious and did not require emergency medical intervention.

In a statement, Joshua’s promoters Matchroom Boxing expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.

“With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” the statement read. “Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain under observation.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected, and we respectfully ask that their privacy is observed at this incredibly difficult time.”

Among those paying tribute was fellow British boxer Chris Eubank Jr, who described Ghami and Ayodele — also known as ‘Latz’ — as “genuinely good men”.

“Thank God our heavyweight champion survived that horrible crash,” Eubank Jr wrote. “Prayers for the two fallen soldiers, Latz and Sina, and their families. I knew both — they were genuinely good men. Rest in peace.”

Ghami served as Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach and had worked with the former world champion for more than a decade. He played a key role in preparing Joshua for some of the biggest fights of his career, including the 2017 world title victory over Wladimir Klitschko and this month’s win over Jake Paul.

Away from boxing, Ghami also worked with high-profile athletes including former NFL star Le’Veon Bell and NBA champion Draymond Green.

Ayodele, a personal trainer and long-time friend of Joshua, appeared in a video shared by the boxer on Instagram just hours before the crash, showing the pair playing table tennis.

Joshua had been in Nigeria following his sixth-round stoppage of American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul earlier this month. Paul later wrote on X: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and everyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Former New Zealand rugby international Sonny Bill Williams also paid tribute, posting photographs with Joshua and Ayodele and writing: “Rest easy, brother Abdul Latif. May the Most High grant strength to your loved ones.”

British bantamweight Shannon Courtenay added: “RIP Sina and Latz. Last week we were all together in Miami and today you’re gone. Life is truly too short. May the Lord watch over their families during this painful time.”

Footage from the scene showed Joshua being assisted from the back seat of a heavily damaged SUV. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that five adult men were involved in the crash. Joshua and the driver were rescued by members of the boxer’s security team.

The collision occurred at around midday on Monday on the busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway and involved a black Lexus and a stationary red commercial truck. Preliminary FRSC findings suggest the vehicle was travelling above the legal speed limit and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre before striking the truck.

Joshua had only recently returned to the ring after more than a year away, securing a lucrative victory over Paul in Miami. He was in Nigeria to spend the New Year period with family when the tragedy occurred.

Although plans had been in place for a return to the ring in Saudi Arabia in February and a potential high-profile bout later in 2026, such matters now appear secondary. Joshua has lost two people close to him, including a trusted long-time coach, and the emotional impact of that loss is impossible to quantify.

For now, the focus across the boxing community remains firmly on his recovery and wellbeing, with widespread support for one of Britain’s most accomplished fighters as he comes to terms with a devastating personal loss.