{"id":382553,"date":"2025-12-31T12:29:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T12:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/382553\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T12:29:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T12:29:10","slug":"fury-boxing-world-mourn-after-nigeria-crash-kills-2-of-joshuas-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/382553\/","title":{"rendered":"Fury, boxing world mourn after Nigeria crash kills 2 of Joshua\u2019s team"},"content":{"rendered":"

The boxing world was united in grief Monday after a car crash in southwest Nigeria killed two close members of Anthony Joshua\u2019s team and left the former heavyweight champion hospitalized, prompting tributes from rivals, champions and fans while renewing scrutiny of the country\u2019s dangerous roads.<\/p>\n

British heavyweight Tyson Fury led the reaction, posting a brief but somber message on Instagram: \u201cThis is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven,\u201d after it was confirmed that Joshua\u2019s longtime strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele had died in the collision.<\/p>\n

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, was injured in the crash but was said to be in stable condition and undergoing observation, according to a statement from his promoter, Matchroom Boxing.<\/p>\n

The accident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time in Makun, a town along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria\u2019s busiest highways.<\/p>\n


\n \"Newspapers
\n <\/a>
\n Newspapers bearing headlines about a road accident involving British boxer Anthony Joshua, who was hospitalized in stable condition after a crash that killed two people, are displayed at a stall, Abeokuta, Nigeria, Dec. 30, 2025. (AFP Photo) <\/p>\n

Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the Lexus vehicle carrying Joshua was involved in a collision with a truck during an overtaking maneuver.<\/p>\n

The FRSC said preliminary findings suggested excessive speed and wrongful overtaking caused the crash, claiming the vehicle struck a stationary truck parked by the roadside.<\/p>\n

A witness, however, disputed that account, telling Agence France-Presse (AFP) the truck was moving at the time of the collision, while other eyewitnesses reported a tire burst at high speed moments before impact.<\/p>\n

Images circulating on social media showed a shirtless Joshua seated inside the damaged vehicle, surrounded by shattered glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation,\u201d Matchroom Boxing said. \u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joshua, a British national of Nigerian heritage whose family hails from the southwest of the country, is a frequent visitor to the region. Just hours before the crash, he and Ayodele had shared videos on social media playing table tennis together.<\/p>\n

Ayodele, known as \u201cLatz,\u201d was remembered by friends as warm and selfless. \u201cHe had not a bad intention or a bad bone in his body,\u201d Mustafa Briggs, a friend, told Sky News. \u201cHe loved life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside Ghami\u2019s London-based Evolve Gyms, bouquets of flowers were laid in tribute, while the facility temporarily closed to mourn the loss of its \u201cbeloved owner.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tragedy came at a time when Joshua\u2019s career had regained momentum.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, he scored a sixth-round knockout of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout<\/a> in Miami, a fight aimed at sharpening his fitness ahead of a return to elite heavyweight contention.<\/p>\n

That trajectory had reignited talk of a long-awaited \u201cBattle of Britain\u201d showdown with Fury, who had earlier fueled speculation of a ring return by posting photos of himself wearing a shirt reading \u201cI\u2019m back.\u201d Joshua had publicly called out Fury following his win over Paul.<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s events, however, cast immediate doubt over any future timelines. Paul himself acknowledged the gravity of the moment, writing on X: \u201cLife is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today\u2019s unfortunate accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tributes poured in from across the sport. Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who fought Joshua in a classic bout at Wembley Stadium in 2017, said he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d and praised Joshua as \u201ca true class act.\u201d<\/p>\n

British fighters Chris Eubank Jr. and Shannon Courtenay also expressed their condolences, with Courtenay noting the emotional toll of witnessing the deaths of two close friends. \u201cNo man should have to go through what he went through today,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

Beyond boxing, the high-profile crash renewed concern over road safety in Nigeria, where accidents remain a persistent and deadly problem.<\/p>\n

The FRSC recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, an increase of 340 fatalities compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n

Experts cite a mix of dilapidated infrastructure, poorly maintained heavy trucks, weak enforcement of traffic laws and risky driving behavior as key contributors.<\/p>\n

Stationary or broken-down trucks along major highways are a common and often deadly hazard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe prevalence of accidents in Nigeria is a serious issue,\u201d said Ache Ogu, CEO of the Road Accident Prevention Network Centre. \u201cMost of the trucks are not in order, and law enforcement needs to step up its efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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