Two close friends and key members of the professional team of world-renowned heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua were killed on Monday in a fatal road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Nigerian authorities and international boxing officials have confirmed. The victims, identified as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, died at the scene of the crash, while Joshua sustained injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition. The incident was confirmed in separate statements by Matchroom Boxing, the boxer’s promoter, the BBC, and Nigerian emergency and security agencies.
In a statement released on Monday, Matchroom Boxing said it had received confirmation of the deaths “with profound sadness,” describing Ghami and Ayodele as close friends and long-time members of Joshua’s inner circle. The company added that Joshua had been injured in the crash and was undergoing medical checks and treatment, noting that doctors had confirmed his condition was stable and that he would remain under observation. The BBC also confirmed that the two men killed were part of Joshua’s immediate team and had worked closely with him for several years.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday at Makun, near the Sagamu Interchange inward Ibadan, on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most accident-prone highways. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports indicate that the incident involved a convoy of vehicles travelling together, including a Toyota Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and three other occupants, and a second vehicle providing security support. Emergency responders said the crash caused extensive damage to the Lexus vehicle.
According to an eyewitness quoted by PUNCH Online, the convoy was travelling at speed when the Lexus SUV reportedly lost control after attempting to overtake another vehicle. The witness said the SUV collided with a stationary truck near a filling station, causing immediate fatalities. “It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver,” the eyewitness said, adding that bystanders attempted rescue efforts before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived at the scene.
FRSC officials who later issued a preliminary statement attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with the truck. The agency said investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the accident and to establish whether additional safety or mechanical factors played a role. The FRSC also confirmed that two occupants of the vehicle died instantly, while others were rescued and taken for medical attention.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement shared on social media, saying two passengers died at the scene while Joshua and another individual were hospitalised. Police spokespersons said the bodies of the deceased were conveyed to the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, and that officers had commenced investigations into the circumstances of the crash. The police assured the public that findings would be made available at the conclusion of the probe.
One of the victims, Sina Ghami, was Joshua’s long-serving strength and conditioning coach, a role he held for more than a decade. Ghami was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London and was widely respected in elite sports circles. According to the BBC, he was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialised in musculoskeletal injuries, corrective exercise, and injury prevention, and had worked with athletes in several disciplines, including American football and basketball.
Reports indicate that Ghami had collaborated with athletes in the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and with the Michigan State University football programme. In the days leading up to the accident, Ghami had shared posts on social media from Lagos, including photographs with Joshua, indicating that he was actively involved in the boxer’s training and activities during the visit to Nigeria.
The second victim, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, was Joshua’s personal trainer and a close confidant. Widely known as Latz, Ayodele was described by associates as deeply passionate about fitness and wellness. His social media accounts reflected a strong commitment to physical training and to his Islamic faith, and he frequently posted photos and videos documenting training sessions with Joshua.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele, a post that later drew emotional reactions from fans after news of the accident broke. The BBC confirmed that Ayodele was part of Joshua’s core support team and had travelled extensively with him for training and professional engagements.
Following the accident, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun visited the Lagos hospital where Joshua was receiving treatment and was later joined by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Both governors reportedly remained at the hospital for several hours to monitor the situation and ensure that the boxer received appropriate medical care. Abiodun said he personally supervised Joshua’s treatment alongside his Lagos counterpart.
“As soon as I was informed, I headed straight to the hospital and was later joined by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” Abiodun said. “We both took charge of the situation, oversaw Anthony Joshua’s care, and remained at the hospital for over seven hours.” The Ogun State Government later confirmed that Joshua was stable and receiving professional medical attention.
Other senior officials who visited the hospital included the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade. The visits underscored the national and international significance of the incident, given Joshua’s global profile as a former world heavyweight boxing champion.
The British High Commission in Nigeria also became involved following the accident. According to a statement by the Ogun State Government, the Deputy Head of Mission, Simon Field, visited Joshua in hospital and held discussions with Governors Abiodun and Sanwo-Olu. The statement said British officials were formally notified of the incident and were monitoring developments closely.
“The British High Commission was formally notified of the accident. Officials of the Mission are monitoring developments and remain in contact with the hospital and the Ogun State Government,” the statement said, adding that the families of the deceased had been contacted through diplomatic channels. Ghami was identified as a British citizen, while Ayodele was described as a Nigerian-British national.
The Ogun State Government further confirmed that the accident involved a Toyota Lexus jeep conveying Joshua and three other passengers, reiterating that two occupants died at the scene. Authorities said a full investigation had been ordered to establish all contributing factors and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
President Bola Tinubu was also briefed on the accident. According to state officials, the President spoke separately with Joshua, his mother, and Governor Abiodun, conveying his sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased. Tinubu reportedly emphasised the need for unity and support during the difficult period.
Quoting the President, Abiodun said: “This immense tragedy has cast a deep shadow over this season. These are very difficult moments, and we must stand firm, united, and encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.” The President’s message was later echoed in a follow-up phone conversation with Joshua and his family.
As news of the accident spread, messages of condolence and tributes poured in from fans, fellow athletes, and public figures across Nigeria and abroad. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes celebrating the professional contributions and personal bonds Ghami and Ayodele shared with Joshua, with many describing the loss as devastating to the boxing community.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations by the police and the FRSC are ongoing and that the findings will be made public once concluded. The Ogun State Government said updates on Joshua’s condition and other developments related to the incident would be communicated as necessary, as the country and the global sporting community continue to mourn the loss of two key figures in Anthony Joshua’s career.