Photo: Getty Images North America
Two close friends and members of Anthony Joshua’s team have been confirmed as the victims of a fatal car crash in Nigeria that left the heavyweight boxer with minor injuries, per The Independent.
On Monday (December 29), Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and his strength coach, Sina Ghami, were killed in the crash on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Joshua, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to the hospital for treatment and is in a stable condition.
Matchroom Boxing and Joshua’s management company, 258 MGT, confirmed Ayodele's and Ghami's deaths in a joint statement on Monday.
“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodel,e have tragically passed away,” the statement said. “Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken tothe hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
Joshua, 36, had been in Nigeria following his knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19. According to Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps, Joshua was traveling in a Lexus SUV when the vehicle collided with a truck parked on the side of the expressway. Ogun State’s police commissioner told ESPN that a burst tire caused the driver to lose control and veer into the stationary truck.
Video from the scene showed Joshua sitting inside the damaged vehicle before later being helped outside. Joshua's security team was traveling in a vehicle behind him and avoided the crash.
Just hours before the incident, Joshua shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele.
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