An eyewitness has described the harrowing reaction of British boxer Anthony Joshua following a devastating car crash in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of his close friends, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Joshua, a former heavyweight world champion, was a passenger in the vehicle that collided with a lorry, miraculously escaping severe injury himself but left dazed and in pain. He is currently receiving medical attention in Lagos, with doctors closely monitoring his condition and conducting further tests.
Footage that emerged on social media shortly after the incident showed a visibly shaken Joshua being assisted out of the mangled wreckage. The car carried five occupants in total, with two others managing to escape the collision unharmed. The severity of the accident has sent shockwaves through the boxing community and beyond.
Featured snippet paragraph: The cause of the fatal collision, as disclosed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria, involved a black Lexus Jeep and a stationary red commercial Sinotruck. Preliminary findings suggest the Lexus Jeep was traveling at an excessive speed, lost control during an overtaking maneuver, and struck the parked truck, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives.
The eyewitness, Ajala Yusuf Oluwaseyi, recounted hearing a significant “boom” before realizing a car had become lodged beneath a truck on the highway. He informed Sky News that Joshua appeared deeply affected by the “deadliness of the incident,” stating that the boxer was “shocked” and “couldn’t talk.”
Tributes have poured in for Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both of whom shared deep personal and professional bonds with Anthony Joshua. Sina Ghami had been a close associate of Joshua for over a decade, playing a crucial role in his preparation for major fights, including his iconic 2017 victory against Wladimir Klitschko.
Sina’s uncle, Shahryar Rumi, emphasized the strong friendship between his nephew and Joshua, explaining that Sina’s presence on the trip was to offer companionship. He described Joshua as exceptionally kind, generous, compassionate, and brotherly.
Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, a personal trainer, had known Joshua long before his rise to global fame. He joined Joshua’s team after a career in semi-professional football. Ayodele had recently converted to Islam, and a fundraiser established in his memory has garnered over £170,000 for mosque construction and clean water projects in Africa.
The organizer of the fundraiser expressed profound shock at Ayodele’s passing and a commitment to preserving his legacy.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that the injured victim was transported for medical attention, while the deceased were taken to the Livewell Morgue. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division has been notified for further investigation.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, with authorities working to fully document the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
The boxing world mourns the loss of two individuals deeply connected to one of its biggest stars.
Anthony Joshua’s personal journey through this tragedy highlights the fragility of life and the profound impact of loss.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road travel, particularly at high speeds.
The outpouring of support for the families of the deceased underscores the strong community ties surrounding these individuals.
