Two close friends and longtime team members of heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both of whom had worked closely with the boxer for several years.

In a statement, Matchroom Boxing said:
“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away.”

The company added that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical checks. He was said to be in a stable condition and remains under observation.

The BBC also confirmed that the deceased were members of Joshua’s inner circle. Just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing himself playing table tennis with Ayodele.

Who Were the Victims?

Sina Ghami
Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. He was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London.

According to the BBC, Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialised in musculoskeletal injuries, corrective exercise, and injury prevention. His professional experience spanned multiple sports, including work with athletes in the NFL, NBA, and Michigan State University’s football team.

He had recently shared posts from Lagos on social media and frequently featured in photos with Joshua.

Latif “Latz” Ayodele
Ayodele, popularly known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media presence reflected a strong passion for fitness and a deep commitment to Islam.

He regularly posted photos with Joshua and was seen with the boxer shortly before the accident.

How the Accident Happened

The crash occurred at about 11:00 am at Makun, near Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

An eyewitness explained that the convoy consisted of two vehicles—a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated at the back of the Lexus, which had four occupants. His security personnel were in the vehicle behind.

According to the witness, two occupants of the Lexus died instantly, while Joshua sustained minor injuries. Passersby assisted in rescue efforts before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived.

Official Reactions

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.

Police said the deceased were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, and investigations into the crash have begun.

In its preliminary report, the FRSC attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, stating that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with a stationary truck.

Joshua, who is of British-Nigerian descent, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, located a few kilometres from the crash site.

Tributes and condolence messages have continued to pour in from fans, public figures, and the boxing community, as many mourn the loss of Ghami and Ayodele.