Who Were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele? Anthony Joshua’s Team Members That Lost Their Lives in Road Tragedy

Who Were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele? Anthony Joshua’s Team Members That Lost Their Lives in Road Tragedy

By Our Reporter 

Two close friends and long-time members of the professional team of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both of whom had worked closely with the boxer for several years.

In a statement, Matchroom Boxing expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” the company said.

The statement also confirmed that Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical evaluation. He was reported to be in a stable condition and placed under observation.

The BBC corroborated the report, noting that both men were part of Joshua’s inner circle. PUNCH Online further reported that only hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele.

Profiles of the victims

Sina Ghami

Sina Ghami served as Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade. He was also a co-founder of Evolve Gym in London.

According to the BBC, Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator with expertise in musculoskeletal injuries, corrective exercise, and injury prevention. His career spanned multiple sports, and he had worked with athletes in the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Michigan State University football programme.

Ghami had been sharing updates from Lagos on social media shortly before the crash and frequently posted photographs alongside Joshua.

Latif “Latz” Ayodele

Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer and a regular presence in the boxer’s professional and personal life. He often shared training moments with Joshua on social media and was seen with him shortly before the accident.

Circumstances of the crash

The accident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday at Makun, near Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Eyewitnesses said Joshua was travelling in a Lexus SUV that formed part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV carrying his security detail. The Lexus reportedly had four occupants.

According to accounts from the scene, two passengers died instantly, while Joshua sustained injuries and was assisted by bystanders before emergency officials arrived. Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later took over rescue and investigative operations.

Official response

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers died at the scene, while Joshua and another individual were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement posted on X, the police said the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu and that investigations had commenced.

The FRSC, in its preliminary report, attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, adding that the Lexus SUV lost control and collided with a stationary truck.

Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended boarding school in Ikenne, located a few kilometres from the site of the accident.

Since the incident, tributes and condolence messages have poured in from fans, colleagues, and public figures, celebrating the lives and contributions of Ghami and Ayodele.