Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has broken his silence following a devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and members of his team. The accident, which occurred late last month, left Joshua hospitalized with minor injuries and sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the global boxing community.
The fatal crash took place on December 29, along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest and most dangerous highways. Joshua was in the country at the time and traveling in the vehicle when the collision occurred. While the boxer escaped with minor injuries, his companions, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, tragically lost their lives at the scene.
Inside Anthony Joshua’s Tragic Accident: What Happened And The Immediate Aftermath
Joshua addressed the tragedy for the first time on January 4, 2026, when he shared two photos on Instagram honoring the men who lost their lives. He captioned the post “My Brothers Keeper ❤️🪖❤️,” paying tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both of whom were traveling with him at the time of the crash.
Local police confirmed shortly after the crash that Joshua was “fine,” despite sustaining injuries that required him to be taken to a hospital for observation. In the hours that followed, images and videos circulated on social media, appearing to show a shirtless Joshua being helped from the damaged vehicle by bystanders and emergency responders.
An eyewitness who spoke to a Nigerian outlet said Joshua was seated behind the driver at the time of the collision, with another person beside him in the vehicle. The full circumstances surrounding the crash have not been publicly detailed, and authorities have yet to announce an official cause.
Later that same day, Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s longtime promoter, released a statement confirming the tragic deaths of Ghami and Ayodele.
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“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.
Matchroom Boxing also provided an update on Joshua’s condition, adding: “He is in stable condition and will remain there for observation. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected, and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. No further comment will be made at this time.”
Who Were Sina Ghami And Latif Ayodele?
Both men were deeply embedded in Joshua’s professional journey and personal life. Sina Ghami, the founder of Evolve Gym, worked closely with the former champion as part of his strength and conditioning team and was a regular presence in Joshua’s recent training camps.
Ghami had been instrumental in Joshua’s preparations, including in the lead-up to the boxer’s December 19 fight against Jake Paul. Ghami’s final social media post, shared last month, showed him working hands-on to refine Joshua’s physique ahead of that bout, offering a poignant snapshot of their close working relationship.
Latif Ayodele, meanwhile, was described as a trusted friend who also served as Joshua’s personal trainer. Their bond extended well beyond the gym. In a now-heartbreaking detail, Joshua’s final social media post before the crash featured him and Ayodele playing table tennis together, a lighthearted moment that later took on profound significance in the wake of the tragedy.
The fatal accident occurred just days after Joshua’s most recent fight, a high-profile bout against 28-year-old Paul that streamed on Netflix from Miami’s Kaseya Center. Joshua won the matchup by knockout, with the decisive blow reportedly breaking Paul’s jaw after the influencer appeared to taunt him by sticking out his tongue.
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Joshua, who began boxing at the age of 18, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation. He captured Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games while representing Great Britain before transitioning to the professional ranks and becoming a unified world heavyweight champion.
Across two dominant reigns — from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2019 to 2021 — Joshua held the division’s major titles, cementing his place among the elite heavyweights of his era.
