Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have joined the growing list of figures paying tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, the two members of Anthony Joshua’s inner circle who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria on Monday. The accident also left the former heavyweight champion injured and receiving treatment in Lagos.
Ayodele, widely known as Latz, served as Joshua’s personal trainer, while Ghami worked as his strength and conditioning coach. Both men had been part of the boxer’s team since the early stages of his career. Joshua remains in hospital, where his management says he is in stable condition.
Fury, who had been widely tipped to come out of retirement for a potential bout with Joshua next year, shared a brief message online after news of the crash emerged. “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven,” he wrote.
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Usyk, the reigning unified heavyweight champion, also expressed his grief, describing the deaths as “an unbelievable loss.” In a post shared on social media, he called Ghami and Ayodele “two incredible people who were not only a part of AJ’s team, but also friends!” He added that his “sincere condolences” were with their families and loved ones and told Joshua, “Stay strong, champion.”
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had worked closely with both men throughout his professional rise. The crash occurred on the Lagos Ibadan expressway near Makun on Monday morning. Only hours earlier, Joshua and Ayodele had posted a lighthearted video of themselves playing table tennis.
Jake Paul, who lost to Joshua in a highly watched bout two weeks ago, also shared a message of sympathy. “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ, and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” he wrote.
The boxer is currently being treated at the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, according to a report. Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confirmed that he visited Joshua and his mother, who has remained at his side. “I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, in the recent accident,” Tinubu said in a statement. “I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care. I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her.”
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Officials in Ogun State, where the crash occurred, said Joshua did not require emergency treatment at the scene, despite unverified footage circulating online that appeared to show him in visible pain as he was removed from the wreckage. Authorities added, however, that he had “narrowly escaped death.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps later released images from the scene, stating that preliminary findings suggested the Lexus involved was travelling above the legal speed limit. According to the agency, the vehicle lost control while overtaking and struck a stationary truck. Police commander Babatunde Akinbiyi also said early investigations indicated a tyre burst caused by excessive speed led to the crash.
As news of the tragedy spread, tributes poured in from across the sporting world. Boxing and football fans alike mourned the loss of Ghami and Ayodele, while offering prayers and well wishes for Joshua’s recovery.
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