Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has sustained minor injuries in a serious car accident on Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which claimed the lives of two close friends and team members.
The crash occurred on Monday morning in Ogun State when the Lexus SUV Joshua was travelling in – reportedly speeding during an overtaking manoeuvre – collided with a stationary truck. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cited excessive speed and wrongful overtaking as primary causes, common factors in fatal highway incidents.
Joshua, 36, was a rear-seat passenger and was hospitalised for checks. He is in stable condition and under observation. The victims were identified as Sina Ghami, Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, and Kevin “Latif” Ayodele, his personal trainer.
Matchroom Boxing stated: “With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences, saying he spoke directly with Joshua and his mother to convey sympathies.
The accident comes just over a week after Joshua’s sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December. Paul posted on X: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Joshua, born in Britain to Nigerian parents, was visiting family roots in the region. Investigations continue.
