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Former two-time world heavyweight champion escaped collision with minor injuries
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Tyson Fury has paid tribute to Anthony Joshua’s two “close friends” and members of his team after the pair were confirmed dead following a fatal car crash in Nigeria.
Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele are believed to have been travelling in the same Lexus Jeep as Mr Joshua when it collided with a stationary truck by the side of a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at 11am local time on Monday, according to reports.
British heavyweight boxer Mr Fury, with whom Mr Joshua has feuded for years, is among a number of rivals who have sent messages to Mr Joshua and paid tribute to his two friends. Sharing a post about the pair’s deaths on his Instagram story on Tuesday, Mr Fury wrote: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven”.
Mr Ayodele, otherwise known as Latz, was seen playing table tennis with Mr Joshua hours before the collision. Known as healthy_mindset on social media, he has been by Mr Joshua’s side over the last decade of his career.
Mr Ghami is a physio in the boxer’s team and a friend of Mr Joshua, who is reportedly in a stable condition and has spoken to his family, but was rushed to hospital after he suffered minor injuries in the crash.
The British boxer, a former two-time world heavyweight champion who is also of Nigerian heritage, was holidaying in Africa just 10 days after his high-profile fight with Jake Paul.
There are growing concerns about Nigeria’s roads following the deadly crash on Monday that injured British former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed two close associates near Lagos.
The high-profile accident has prompted serious concerns about road safety on Nigerian highways, where accidents are common.
The West African nation recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, according to data by the country’s Federal Road Safety Corps. Its data showed 340 more people were killed in road accidents last year compared to 2023.
Experts say a combination of factors including a network of dilapidated roads, lax enforcement of traffic laws, and indiscipline by drivers, produces the grim statistics.
The stationary truck that Joshua’s vehicle hit is a fixture of Nigeria’s thoroughfares, often causing massive gridlocks. Goods and food are transported across Nigeria’s vast geographical reach via these trucks, which experts say tend to be in poor condition and are responsible for many accidents.
“The prevalence of accidents in Nigeria is a serious issue,” Ache Ogu, the CEO of the Road Accident Prevention Network Centre, an Abuja-based nongovernmental organization, told The Associated Press. “Most of the trucks are not in order, and the law enforcement agency needs to step up its efforts.”
A number of Anthony Joshua’s rivals have sent messages to the boxer and paid tribute to his two deceased friends, after the trio were involved in a fatal car crash on Monday.
Joshua was taken to hospital in Nigeria after sustaining minor injuries in the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, but his strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele lost their lives.
The accident occurred just 10 days after Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, knocked out YouTube star Jake Paul in a professional boxing match in Miami.
Combat Sports Editor Alex Pattle reports:
After beating Jake Paul just days ago, Anthony Joshua was reportedly due for a quick-turnaround fight in February, before a mooted clash with compatriot Tyson Fury later in 2026.
However, Monday’s accident almost certainly rules out a February fight for the Olympic gold medalist.
Anthony Joshua is yet to comment on the tragedy, which left him injured and killed two of his friends.
However, a number of his old opponents have reached out publicly – bitter and friendly rivals alike.
Amir Khan has sent Anthony Joshua a heartfelt message and paid tribute to his friends who were killed in the crash.
The two-time world champion British boxer, with whom Joshua has previously feuded, said in a post on X: “Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of AJ’s two close boys. I don’t even have the right words for such a difficult time.
“May God give their families strength, and may Allah grant them the highest rank in Jannah.
“Also wishing AJ a speedy recovery.”
Tyson Fury has paid tribute to two of Anthony Joshua’s “close friends” and members of his team, who have been confirmed dead following a fatal car crash in Nigeria.
Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele are believed to have been travelling in the same Lexus Jeep as Mr Joshua when it collided with a stationary truck by the side of a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at 11am local time on Monday, according to reports.
British heavyweight boxer Mr Fury shared a post about their deaths on his Instagram story on Tuesday, writing: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven”.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is looking into the crash.
“We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested,” the spokesperson said on Monday.
“Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families.”
A joint statement issued by the Governments of Ogun and Lagos States in Nigera revealed Joshua and another man had been taken to hospital on Monday.
“Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos,” the statement read
“Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
“A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely. Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family.
Anthony Joshua’s vehicle collided with a truck parked on the side of the expressway, according to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps.
The Corps also suggested speeding and an overtake attempt were to blame for the crash, but Ogun state’s police commissioner later told ESPN that a burst tyre on Joshua’s vehicle caused the driver to lose control and “swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road”.
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.”
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