Two close friends and members of world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua’s team have been identified as the victims of the fatal road accident that occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed that the deceased are Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both long-time collaborators within the boxer’s inner circle.
“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 promotion company also disclosed that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to the hospital for checks and treatment, adding that he is in a stable condition and remains under observation.
The BBC similarly confirmed that the two men who lost their lives were members of Joshua’s team, noting that both were integral parts of his inner circle.
PUNCH Online reports that only hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz.
Who they were
Sina Ghami
Sina Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade and was 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 and corrective exercise.
He worked with athletes across multiple sports, including the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Michigan State University football team. Ghami, who focused on sports rehabilitation and injury prevention, had shared posts from Lagos shortly before the crash and frequently appeared in photos with Joshua.
Latif “Latz” Ayodele
Latif Ayodele, widely known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media presence reflected a strong passion for fitness and a deep commitment to Islam. Ayodele regularly shared photos with Joshua and was seen with the boxer shortly before the accident.
How the crash happened
As earlier reported by PUNCH Online, the accident occurred around 11 am on Monday at Makun, near the 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 — with Joshua seated behind the driver in the Lexus. According to the account, two occupants died on the spot, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps later arrived at the scene and began rescue and investigation efforts.
Official reactions
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers died at the scene while Joshua and another individual were hospitalised.
In a statement shared on X, the police said the deceased were taken to the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash had commenced.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, in its preliminary findings, attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with a stationary truck.
Condolence messages and tributes have continued to pour in from fans and public figures, with many paying tribute to Ghami and Ayodele for their roles in Joshua’s career.