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Two members of world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s inner circle have been confirmed dead following a tragic road accident that occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The victims have been identified as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both long-time associates and key members of Joshua’s professional team. Their deaths were confirmed by Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, in an official statement released shortly after the incident.
“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 organisation added that Joshua himself sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. According to the statement, the boxer is in stable condition and remains under observation.
The BBC also corroborated the development, reporting that the deceased were both part of Joshua’s trusted inner circle and had worked closely with him for several years.
Hours before the fatal crash, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing himself playing table tennis with Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz — a post that has since taken on emotional significance for fans and followers.
Who were the victims?
Sina Ghami
Sina Ghami served as Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. Beyond boxing, he was widely respected in elite sports circles and co-founded the Evolve Gym in London.
According to the BBC, Ghami was a certified sports and exercise rehabilitation specialist with expertise in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective training. His career spanned work with top-level athletes across different disciplines, including the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Michigan State University’s football program.
Ghami was also known for frequently sharing moments from his professional journey on social media, including recent posts from Lagos and several photographs alongside Joshua in the days leading up to the accident.
Latif “Latz” Ayodele
Latif Ayodele, widely referred to as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer and a constant presence in his daily training routine. His social media platforms reflected a strong dedication to fitness, discipline, and faith, as well as a deep commitment to Islam.
Ayodele often posted workout sessions with Joshua and was seen with the boxer shortly before the fatal incident. Friends and fans have since described him as passionate, loyal, and deeply invested in helping athletes reach peak performance.
How the accident occurred
According to earlier reports by PUNCH Online, the crash happened around 11 a.m. on Monday at Makun, near the Danco Filling Station, shortly before the Sagamu Interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
An eyewitness who participated in the rescue efforts described the sequence of events:
“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.”
The eyewitness added, “Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.”
He further explained that the passenger seated beside the driver and the occupant next to Joshua died instantly, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.
Official response
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers lost their lives at the scene, while Joshua and another individual were taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a statement posted on X, the police disclosed that the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, adding that investigations into the cause of the crash had commenced.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in its preliminary assessment, attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking. According to the agency, the Lexus SUV reportedly lost control before crashing into a stationary truck.
Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, not far from where the tragic accident occurred.
Since news of the crash broke, tributes and condolence messages have poured in from fans, colleagues, and public figures around the world, mourning the loss of Ghami and Ayodele while wishing Anthony Joshua a full recovery.
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