Two close friends of British boxer Anthony Joshua who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria — in which Joshua himself was injured — have been identified by his spokesperson.
Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele died in the road traffic collision on Monday, which occurred around lunchtime on a busy highway. Both were described as “integral members” of Joshua’s team.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion, 36, was taken to hospital for treatment along with another injured person, while two people were killed.
Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, suffered minor injuries as he travelled in the back of a black Lexus that hit a truck in Makun, Ogun State, about 30 miles from the country’s biggest city, Lagos.
Ghami and Ayodele were also passengers in the Lexus.
Authorities said Joshua, 36, was taken to hospital for treatment along with another injured person.
Joshua and the other survivor are described by officials as being in a “stable” condition.
‘Shocking and devastating news’
Naming the two men who died, Joshua’s spokesperson said in a statement: “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 Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.”
The Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on X: “I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident.
“I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.”
A statement on X by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, from Matchroom Boxing, also confirmed the victims’ names, saying: “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.”
Support from the boxing world
Former heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who retired from boxing after he was knocked out by Joshua at Wembley Stadium in 2017, said he was “deeply saddened” by the crash.
“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,” he posted on X.
“My heart goes out to him, and I wish him and his loved ones all the best during this difficult time.”
Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan also wished Joshua a “speedy recovery” and said said he was “extremely saddened” to hear about the loss of his “two close boys”.
“May God give their families strength, and may Allah grant them the highest rank in Jannah,” he said on the social media site.
The crash happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu, at about midday local time (11am UK time), according to the Nigerian federal road safety corps (FRSC).
Joshua is on holiday in Africa following his win over US YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami just over a week ago.
How did the crash occur?
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said initial investigations suggest the Lexus was travelling above the legal speed limit and lost control while attempting to overtake, before colliding with a truck parked at the roadside.
In a statement on X, the agency said excessive speed and improper overtaking were the primary causes of the crash, describing them as serious traffic offences and among the leading contributors to fatal accidents on Nigerian highways.
The boxer has Nigerian heritage
Joshua, who is the son of British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, around 50 miles from where the crash happened, before returning to Britain at the age of 12.
Pictures released by the FRSC show the badly damaged Lexus that Joshua was travelling in and the red Sinotruck that it collided with.
Footage posted on social media shows the British ex-world heavyweight champion apparently wincing in pain as he is helped out of the wreckage by a crowd.
Other clips show him in an emergency vehicle, wearing only a pair of shorts, as he is driven away from the scene.
The crash happened just days after Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their fight in Miami.
The fight marked the end of a 15-month hiatus for Joshua, who is expected to fight long-time rival Tyson Fury in 2026.
