Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has broken his silence following a devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
In an emotional statement shared via social media on Thursday, Joshua referred to the men as his “brothers” and expressed his profound grief, marking his first public words since the December 29th accident near Lagos.
“Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” Joshua wrote. “I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.”
He added a poignant reflection on the families’ loss, stating, “100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.” The tribute was posted alongside a black-and-white image depicting the two men in the sky with doves.
The fatal collision occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his friends struck a stationary truck. Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach of more than ten years, and Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer and old friend, were killed.
Joshua, who sustained minor injuries, was seen in visible agony as he was helped from the wreckage and was subsequently hospitalized before being discharged on New Year’s Eve. He has since returned to the UK and attended a funeral service for his friends at a London mosque.
Nigerian authorities have charged the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, with multiple offences including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid license. According to police, the defendant was granted bail of 5 million Naira (approximately £2,578) at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, with the case adjourned until January 20 for trial.
Initial reports on the crash’s cause have varied, with road safety officials citing speeding and an overtake attempt, while police later suggested a burst tyre may have led to a loss of control.
The tragedy struck as Joshua, who was born in Britain to Nigerian parents and holds Nigerian nationality, was visiting family roots in Sagamu following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele had posted playful social media clips of themselves playing table tennis together.
In the days following the accident, Joshua also posted a separate photograph with family members, including the mothers of the deceased, captioned “My Brothers Keeper.”
The boxing world has rallied around Joshua with an outpouring of support. Promoter Frank Warren acknowledged the profound impact, noting that boxing would be “the last thing on his mind right now” and emphasizing the mental toll of the tragedy.
Amidst this personal crisis, reports about Joshua’s future in the sport have surfaced. While one family member in Nigeria was quoted suggesting Joshua had privately decided to retire, other sources close to the boxer indicate he has not yet made a definitive decision about his career.
This period of mourning casts uncertainty over previously discussed high-profile fights, including a potential 2026 bout against long-time British rival Tyson Fury.