In a heartbreaking twist of fate that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world and beyond, British-Nigerian heavyweight icon Anthony Joshua emerged alive but scarred from a horrific car accident on Nigeria’s infamous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash, which unfolded on the morning of December 29, 2025, claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s most trusted team members and closest friends: strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele, also known as “Latz.” While Joshua sustained only minor injuries and is now stable in hospital, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility—even for a man who has stared down some of the fiercest opponents in the ring.

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The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time near Makun in Ogun State, on the northbound lane toward Ibadan, close to the Sagamu junction. Joshua, seated in the rear of a black Lexus SUV, was traveling with four other men when the vehicle—suspected of exceeding the speed limit—lost control during an overtaking maneuver and slammed into a stationary red commercial truck parked on the roadside verge. The impact was catastrophic: the SUV’s front end crumpled like paper, glass shattered across the asphalt, and debris scattered in a scene of utter devastation. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived on site within three minutes, a response time praised amid criticism of broader emergency services, but it was too late for Ghami and Ayodele, who perished at the scene.

Eyewitness accounts and official reports paint a vivid picture of chaos. Videos circulating on social media captured a dazed Joshua, shirtless and wincing in pain, being helped from the wreckage before slowly walking to a police vehicle. Photos released by authorities show the mangled Lexus alongside the tarpaulin-covered truck, its rear dented from the force of the collision. The driver of the SUV was also injured, while two other passengers escaped unharmed. The bodies of the deceased were transported to Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, and Joshua—along with the injured driver—was rushed to a specialized facility in Lagos for treatment. A joint statement from Ogun and Lagos state governments confirmed both survivors were stable, requiring no emergency surgery, with Joshua under close observation.

Preliminary investigations by the FRSC pinpoint excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as the primary causes—violations that rank among Nigeria’s leading contributors to fatal crashes. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a vital 127-kilometer artery linking the economic powerhouse of Lagos to the ancient city of Ibadan, is notoriously deadly. Despite ongoing upgrades, it remains plagued by heavy traffic, poorly maintained vehicles, and reckless driving, especially during festive periods when diaspora Nigerians return home. Statistics underscore the peril: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the route saw hundreds of accidents, dozens of fatalities, and scores of injuries. This crash, tragically, adds to that grim tally.

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Joshua’s trip to Nigeria was meant to be a joyful homecoming. Just ten days earlier, on December 19, he had delivered a dominant performance in Miami, knocking out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round—a fight streamed on Netflix that broke Paul’s jaw and reaffirmed Joshua’s elite status after a 15-month hiatus. The victory silenced doubters who questioned his fire following losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. Plans were buzzing: a potential February 2026 bout in Saudi Arabia, followed by the long-awaited British blockbuster against Tyson Fury. Hours before the accident, Joshua appeared carefree, posting Instagram stories of himself playing table tennis, blissfully unaware of the horror ahead.

His connection to Nigeria runs deep, woven into the fabric of his identity. Born in Watford, England, to Yoruba parents from Ogun State, Joshua spent formative childhood years in Ikenne—mere miles from the crash site—attending boarding school before returning to Britain at age 12. He proudly sports a tattoo of the African continent with Nigeria highlighted, and visits to family in Sagamu have always been a source of grounding amid global stardom. This holiday was to celebrate the New Year with loved ones, reconnecting with roots that fuel his unyielding resilience in the ring.

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But the crash has robbed him of two pillars. Sina Ghami, in his 30s, was more than a strength coach; for over a decade, he sculpted Joshua’s physique for epic battles, co-founding London’s Evolve Gym, which closed in mourning following the news. Ghami specialized in injury rehabilitation, often seen in Joshua’s corner, including the Paul fight. Kevin “Latz” Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer and confidant, shared laughs and sweat in countless sessions, his Instagram filled with moments alongside the champion. Just hours before the tragedy, Ayodele posted from Lagos airport upon arrival. Their deaths have gutted Joshua’s “machine,” as tributes describe his tight-knit team.

The outpouring of grief has been profound. Joshua’s camp issued a poignant statement: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm… the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team… Anthony sustained injuries… he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.” Promoter Eddie Hearn, voice breaking, posted: “With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.” Even Jake Paul, fresh from defeat, set rivalry aside: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted.” Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally called Joshua, conveying condolences and prayers for recovery.

Boxers like Chris Eubank Jr. echoed the sentiment: “Thank god our heavyweight champ survived… Pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina… They were genuinely good men.” Social media mourns not just the loss but the void in Joshua’s corner. As one fan noted, these were the men who rebuilt him after setbacks, pushing him through grueling camps to Olympic gold in 2012 and multiple heavyweight titles.

Joshua’s career is a saga of triumph and tribulation. From amateur stardom to professional dominance—24 knockouts in early wins, that unforgettable 2017 thriller against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley—the 6’6″ powerhouse embodied British pride with Nigerian soul. Setbacks tested him: Usyk dethroned him twice, exposing vulnerabilities in a division ruled by giants. Yet, the Paul demolition proved his power endures. Now, at 36, questions loom: Will this trauma derail his momentum? How will he honor his fallen brothers in the ring?

The broader implications ripple far. In Nigeria, the crash highlights systemic woes—deadly roads, inadequate enforcement, and emergency gaps that Peter Obi decried in noting no immediate ambulance. Globally, it underscores vulnerability: no fame or fortune shields against sudden catastrophe. Joshua, the indestructible warrior, now confronts emotional wounds deeper than any punch.

As investigations continue into the exact circumstances, the boxing community holds its breath. Joshua’s physical recovery seems assured, but the mental toll—of survivor’s guilt, of losing brothers—will be immense. Fans worldwide pray for his healing, eager for his return not just as a fighter, but as the inspiring figure who rose from Finchley amateur gym to global icon.

In the ring, Joshua has always risen after knockdowns. This time, the bell has rung outside it. When he steps back under the lights—perhaps against Fury in a clash for the ages—he’ll carry the memory of Sina and Latz, turning grief into fuel. The heavyweight division awaits a champion forever changed, but unbroken. Life, as Paul reminded us, is far more precious than boxing. Yet for Anthony Joshua, boxing may be the path to healing.