The remains of two close associates of British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami, have been flown out of Nigeria for burial in the United Kingdom following a fatal road accident in Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Ogere, when a black Range Rover SUV carrying Joshua and members of his inner training circle reportedly veered off the road and crashed into a stationary truck. Ayodele, Joshua’s long-time trainer, and Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, were confirmed dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Joshua, who was in Nigeria for the Yuletide holidays, sustained minor injuries in the accident. He was rescued from the vehicle and taken to a private hospital in Lekki, Lagos, where he was treated for bruises and mild shock. The former unified world heavyweight champion was discharged two days later.
Following his discharge, the 34-year-old boxer, accompanied by his mother and officials from the British High Commission, visited a funeral home in Lagos to make arrangements for the repatriation of the deceased. The bodies of Ayodele and Ghami were airlifted to the United Kingdom on Thursday, January 1.
In an emotional message released through his team, Joshua described the loss as “a heartbreak beyond words,” calling both men brothers who gave everything to the sport and to his career.
Tributes have continued to pour in from the global boxing community. Promoter Eddie Hearn described the deaths as devastating to the Matchroom and Joshua family, while former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis urged prayers and support for the boxer during the difficult period.
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