Two close associates of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua have been confirmed dead in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Monday, December 29, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement shared on X on Monday night, confirmed the identities of the deceased as Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Ghami was Joshua’s long-time friend and his strength and conditioning coach, while Latif served as his personal trainer.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, also confirmed 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,” Matchroom Boxing said in a statetement on Monday.
The statement added that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical checks and treatment.
“He is in a stable condition and will remain under observation,” it added.
Tinubu discloses Anthony Joshua’s associates killed in road crash
The BBC also revelealed that Ghami was Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach and had worked with the 36-year-old boxer for more than 10 years.
He helped the former heavyweight champion prepare for some of the biggest bouts of his career, including the title-winning fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and this month’s win over Jake Paul.
Ghami has also worked with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell and the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video on Instagram of him playing table tennis with his long-time friend Ayodele, a personal trainer.
Ayodele, widely known as Latz, served as Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media activity reflected a deep commitment to fitness and faith, with regular posts documenting his work alongside the boxer.
He was seen with Joshua shortly before the accident and featured in a video shared online hours earlier.
Boxing expert Steve Bunce described Ghami and Ayodele as “two of Joshua’s closest friends”.
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