Joshua pays final respect to his deceased friends
Anthony Joshua who was discharged after recovering from minor injuries after a fatal road crash near Lagos, paid final tributes to deceased friends.
The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement on X that Joshua was discharged late afternoon yesterday after being deemed clinically fit to recuperate from “home”.
Eddie Hearn (right) has promoted Anthony Joshua since he turned professional after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics (PA Archive)
“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening,” Omotoso said.
Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were killed in the crash. Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media playing table tennis together.
Namita Singh1 January 2026 07:30
Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after car crash in Nigeria
British former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital after being injured in a car accident in Nigeria’s Ogun State that killed two of his friends, state governments said on Wednesday.
“Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon. Though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends, he was deemed (clinically) fit to recuperate from home,” the governments of Lagos and Ogun states said in a statement posted on X.
British boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital in Nigeria (PA) (PA Wire)
Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with another car on Monday, killing two of his close friends and teammates.
Namita Singh1 January 2026 06:30
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team”
The incident occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday morning, with unverified footage online showing Joshua topless looking dazed in a vehicle surrounded by what appeared to be broken glass.
The 36-year-old, who was on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December, is receiving treatment for his injuries and is in a “stable condition”, a spokesperson for said Joshua on Monday.
It has been confirmed by the spokesperson that the fatalities were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who were both long-term friends of the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion as well as having roles on his team.
Ghami acted as strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele both posted footage on their Instagram accounts of them playing table tennis.
“It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team,” the spokesperson said on Monday.
“We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.
“Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
Dan Haygarth1 January 2026 05:30
Eddie Hearn’s tribute to Anthony Joshua’s two friends
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has paid tribute to Anthony Joshua’s friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, who died in a car crash in Nigeria.
Ghami and Ayodele lost their lives on Monday after the vehicle they were travelling in alongside Joshua struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos.
British heavyweight Joshua sustained injuries but is stable and conscious in hospital, according to Ogun State Government.
Hearn – who has promoted 36-year-old Joshua since he turned professional, after he won gold at the London 2012 Olympics – posted on Instagram: “Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed.
“Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.”
Dan Haygarth1 January 2026 04:30
Team mates killed in crash part of Joshua’s ‘close circle’, says Steve Bunce
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce described them as “massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine”.
He said: “They are with him all the time. He calls them his boys. They’re more than that. They are friends.
“They may have strict jobs, they might be his strength and conditioning coach, his personal trainer, his dietitian, his nutritionist, but they’re close and he loves that close circle.”
Daniel Haygarth1 January 2026 03:39
‘There is no one kinder’: Sina Ghami’s uncle describes him as an ‘angel’
The uncle of Sina Ghami, Anthony Joshua’s close friend and physiotherapist who was killed in the crash in Nigeria said his family was “distraught” and described him as an “angel living amongst us”.
Shahryar Rumi told The Times: “Personally, there is no one kinder, no one more generous, no one more compassionate, no one more brotherly.
“He helped so many people, in every way shape or form. Without even knowing them he would know that if they needed money, never would he turn anybody away. If they ask for £500, he would give them £2,000. He was that kind of an angel. The least selfish person I have ever known.”
He added: “They were friends, Anthony Joshua and Sina. They worked together, but they began as friends. Even on this trip, he didn’t want him to be alone, so he went with him.”
Dan Haygarth1 January 2026 01:45
Joshua released from hospital in Nigeria after car crash
Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital in Nigeria after the crash in which two of his friends died, authorities have said.
Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele died after the vehicle they were travelling in along with Joshua struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on Monday.
British heavyweight Joshua sustained injuries, but was released on Wednesday, Lagos state commissioner for information Gbenga Omotoso said.
In a joint statement with Ogun state, which he posted on X, Mr Omotoso said Joshua was “deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home”.
The statement said: “Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.”
British boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital in Nigeria (PA) (PA Wire)
Tom Barnes1 January 2026 01:03
The joint statement issued by Joshua’s promotions and management companies
Matchroom, which promotes Anthony Joshua, and 258 MGT, his management company, issued a joint statement late on Monday, which read: “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 and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a 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.”
Dan Haygarth31 December 2025 23:45
Figures from world of boxing send messages of support
Retired cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew posted on X: “Thoughts and prayers to the families of these men. Tragic losses in horrific circumstances!
“I hope he (Joshua) is able to process this with time because there is no pain in life worse than grief.”
Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, British former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former world champion Wladimir Klitschko have also offered condolences.
Klitschko wrote on X: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about AJ and his close-knit group of friends. Having had the pleasure of engaging in an unforgettable battle with AJ, I’ve always regarded him as a true class act who commands my utmost respect.
“My heart goes out to him, and I wish him and his loved ones all the best during this difficult time.”
Dan Haygarth31 December 2025 22:45
Tyson Fury paid tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele
Tyson Fury passed on his condolences two of Anthony Joshua’s close friends and team members died in a car crash which left the British boxer injured.
Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele died after the vehicle they were travelling in alongside Joshua and another passenger on Monday morning struck a stationary truck along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Fury, who has been linked with reversing his retirement to take on Joshua in 2026, wrote on his Instagram story on Tuesday: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
Tyson Fury pays tribute to Anthony Joshua’s friends (Instagram)
Dan Haygarth31 December 2025 21:45