Everything we know about Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, Anthony Joshua’s associates Killed in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

Two close associates of former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif“Latz” Ayodele, have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The crash occurred near Makun, Ogun State, while Joshua was travelling with members of his team.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed the deaths in an official statement, describing the victims as long-standing members of the boxer’s inner circle. “With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” the organisation said.

Who the Victims Were

Sina Ghami served as Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade and was also a close personal friend. He was a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London and a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator, specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise. Ghami had worked with elite athletes across multiple sports, including the NFL, NBA, and Michigan State University’s football programme. He had shared photos from Lagos shortly before the crash and frequently appeared alongside Joshua on social media.

Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. He was known for his dedication to fitness and faith, regularly documenting his work with the boxer online. Ayodele was seen with Joshua shortly before the accident and appeared in a video shared hours earlier.

Crash Details and Medical Update

According to a joint statement by the Ogun State and Lagos State governments, the accident involved Joshua’s vehicle colliding with a stationary truck along the expressway. While Ghami and Ayodele died at the scene, Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a medical facility in Lagos.

Medical assessments later confirmed that Anthony Joshua is in stable condition and receiving appropriate care. Authorities stated that he does not require emergency intervention but remains under observation.

Presidential Reaction

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed the identities of the deceased and disclosed that he had spoken directly with Joshua following the incident.In a post on X, the President said Ghami and Ayodele were close associates of the boxer and extended condolences to their families.

Tinubu also revealed that he spoke with Joshua’s mother, noting that she expressed appreciation for the gesture and prayers offered.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also reacted to the incident, expressing deep concern over the crash and drawing attention to reports that no ambulance was readily available at the scene.

Security agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities say more details will be provided as inquiries continue.

The tragic incident has sparked renewed conversations about road safety and emergency response infrastructure on Nigeria’s highways, particularly along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.