Sina Ghami, Latif Ayodele: Anthony Joshua’s close allies killed in Lagos–Ibadan Expressway crash

Two members of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s inner circle have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both long-standing associates of the boxer. The organisation confirmed the development in an official statement.

“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 statement added that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. “He is in a stable condition and will remain under observation,” the company said.

The BBC also confirmed that the deceased were key members of Joshua’s team and had worked closely with him for several years. Hours before the crash, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele, popularly known as Latz.

Victims identified

Sina Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade and was a close personal friend. He co-founded Evolve Gym in London and was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator, specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

According to the BBC, Ghami worked with elite athletes across several sports, including the NFL, NBA, and Michigan State University’s football programme. He had shared photos from Lagos shortly before the accident and frequently posted images with Joshua on social media.

Latif Ayodele, widely known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media posts reflected his dedication to fitness and faith, and he regularly documented his work with the boxer. He was seen with Joshua shortly before the accident and appeared in a video shared online just hours earlier.

How the crash happened

The accident reportedly occurred at about 11:00 a.m. at Makun, near Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound section of the expressway.

An eyewitness said the incident involved a two-vehicle convoy consisting of a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.

“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 said.

“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 added.

The witness said two passengers died at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Official confirmation

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two occupants died instantly, while Joshua and another person were taken to hospital.

In a statement posted on X, the police said the bodies were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, adding that investigations had begun.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in its preliminary report, attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with a stationary truck.

Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended boarding school in Ikenne, a few kilometres from the crash site.

Presidential reaction

President Bola Tinubu later confirmed the identities of the deceased and said he had spoken directly with Joshua.

In a post on X, Tinubu described Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami as Joshua’s close associates, noting that Ghami was his strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele served as his personal trainer.

“AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care,” Tinubu wrote.

“I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the call.”

Tributes pour in

Tributes have continued to pour in from fans, athletes and public figures following the tragedy, with messages of condolence for the families of Ghami and Ayodele and support for Joshua.

Among those who reacted was Joshua’s recent opponent Jake Paul, who wrote: “I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

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