Boxing world mourns as 2 close to Anthony Joshua die in Nigeria crash

Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world following a fatal car crash in Nigeria on Monday morning involving world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Two men, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, were killed in the crash. Joshua survived and is recovering.

Boxers, athletes and public figures took to social media to express their condolences.

Chris Eubank Jr wrote on X:
“Thank God our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina and their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in peace, boys.”

L-R: Latif Latz Ayodele , Anthony Joshua, and Sina Ghami

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who lost to Joshua earlier this month, posted:
“RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif / Latz’ Ayodele. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ.”

Former New Zealand rugby international Sonny Bill Williams shared photos of himself with Joshua and Ayodele, writing:
“Rest easy brother Abdul Latif, may the Most High make it easy for your loved ones.”

British bantamweight Shannon Courtenay added:
“RIP Sina and Latz, two good guys. Last week we were all having fun in Miami and today you’re gone. Life really is too short. May the Lord look over their loved ones during this awful time.”

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also confirmed he had spoken directly with Joshua following the crash.

“I conveyed my condolences over the death of his two friends and wished him a full and speedy recovery,” Tinubu said in a social media post. “We prayed together, and AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.”

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Tinubu added that he also spoke with Joshua’s mother, describing her as “deeply appreciative of the call.”

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, whose company promotes Joshua, paid tribute on Instagram.
“With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

It has since been confirmed that the two victims were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both close friends and long-time members of Joshua’s inner circle.

Ghami had served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade. He was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London and was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise. His work extended beyond boxing, having trained athletes in the NFL, NBA and at Michigan State University.

Ayodele, widely known as “Latz,” was Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media presence reflected a deep passion for fitness and a strong commitment to his Islamic faith. In a pinned post from 2020, he wrote: “Finding Islam in 2012 has been my biggest blessing.”

The boxing world continues to mourn the loss of two highly respected figures whose influence extended far beyond the ring.