Boxing World in Mourning: Anthony Joshua Injured, Trainer and Best Friend Killed in Tragic Lagos-Ibadan Highway Crash
- BFW Staff
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Two-time heavyweight champion survives devastating accident on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that claimed lives of longtime friend Sina Ghami and training team member
LAGOS, Nigeria-Dec. 29, 2025
In heartbreaking news that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world and beyond, British-Nigerian heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua survived a catastrophic car crash in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of two members of his inner circle, including his lifelong friend and rehabilitation coach, Sina "Evolve" Ghami.
The devastating incident occurred Monday morning, December 29, around 11 a.m. local time on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun in Ogun State, Nigeria. Joshua, 36, was traveling as a passenger in a Lexus SUV when the vehicle lost control and collided with a stationary truck parked along the roadside.
The Victims: More Than Just Team Members
The two men who lost their lives were far more than professional associates to Joshua—they were family.
Sina Ghami served as Joshua's strength and conditioning coach and was a lifelong friend of the champion, playing an integral role in some of boxing's most historic moments. Ghami, co-founder of Evolve Gym in London, had been in Joshua's corner for over a decade, including the legendary 2017 victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium that defined a generation of heavyweight boxing.
The second victim, identified by multiple sources as Kevin Latif Ayodele (also known as "Latz"), was another close personal friend and training partner who helped keep the former two-time world champion in peak physical condition.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified both men as "close associates" of the fighter and personally reached out to Joshua to offer condolences and prayers for his recovery.
What Happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, preliminary investigations suggest the Lexus was traveling at excessive speed when the driver attempted an overtaking maneuver. The vehicle's tire burst, causing the driver to lose control, and the SUV careened into a stationary commercial truck parked by the roadside.
Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo described the harrowing scene to Nigerian newspaper The Punch: "It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him." He noted that Joshua's security detail, traveling in the vehicle behind, narrowly avoided the collision.
The crash resulted in four occupants in the Lexus. Joshua, seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries but survived. The two passengers: Ghami and Ayodele died at the scene.
Joshua was immediately evacuated to a specialized medical facility in Lagos, where doctors confirmed he was in stable condition and did not require emergency intervention.
Why Joshua Was in Nigeria
Nigeria holds deep personal significance for the British-Nigerian champion. The son of Nigerian parents, Joshua attended boarding school in Ikenne, just 85 kilometers from the crash site at age 11 before returning to Britain at age 12.
He had been celebrating in his ancestral homeland following his triumphant sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami. The win, broadcast on Netflix, marked Joshua's return to form after a 15-month layoff and positioned him for a potential 2026 super-fight with British rival Tyson Fury.
The Tragedy Highlights Nigeria's Road Safety Crisis
The accident has reignited painful conversations about Nigeria's chronic infrastructure and emergency response challenges—issues that plague not just Nigeria but many African nations.
In the comments sections across social media and news platforms, thousands of Nigerians and Africans have expressed grief not just for the loss of life, but for what the tragedy represents: a healthcare and road safety system that too often fails its people.
"This is heartbreaking. Our roads are death traps," wrote one commenter on Twitter. "How many more lives before we fix our infrastructure?"
"The fact that they died at the scene because medical help couldn't arrive fast enough... this is the Nigeria we live in," another shared. "We deserve better."
Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that speeding and wrongful overtaking remain among the leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways—a sobering statistic that continues to claim lives across the continent.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria's busiest and most economically vital routes connecting the country's commercial hub to other major cities, has been the site of countless accidents over the years, with critics pointing to poor road maintenance, inadequate lighting, and limited emergency response infrastructure.
An Outpouring of Support
The boxing community and beyond have rallied around Joshua in the wake of the tragedy.
Jake Paul, Joshua's recent opponent in the ring, set aside their competitive rivalry to tweet: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn called Ghami and Ayodele "close friends and team members" and confirmed he had spoken with the champion to convey his condolences.
Sending Up Our Prayers
As the investigation into the crash continues, the boxing world and millions across Nigeria and the globe are keeping Anthony Joshua, the families of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, and everyone affected by this tragedy in their thoughts and prayers.
This isn't just a story about a celebrity accident. It's a stark reminder of the fragility of life, the bonds that make us human, and the urgent need for safer roads and better emergency infrastructure across Africa.
Rest in peace to Sina "Evolve" Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
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