Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has spoken of feeling pain throughout his body following a devastating car accident in Nigeria on Monday, which claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.
The Crash and Joshua's Condition
The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Lexus vehicle Joshua was travelling in as a passenger suffered a tyre blowout and collided with a stationary truck in the Makun area. Joshua's close friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, were both killed in the accident.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the 36-year-old boxer wincing and in clear discomfort as he was helped from the wreckage. He was subsequently transferred to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, one of Nigeria's leading medical facilities.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed Joshua is in a 'stable' condition, though he is expected to remain in hospital into the New Year for further tests and treatment. According to reports, Joshua indicated he had 'pain all over my body', with sources stating he experienced intense pain in his knees and 'cried out in agony' during the rescue.
Tributes for Lost Friends and Family Anguish
Joshua's mother, Yeta Odusanya, has travelled to the hospital to be with her son. The boxer's uncle, Adedamola Joshua, revealed the stress the extended family endured while trying to locate him in the immediate aftermath. 'Since the incident happened we have been rallying round to see if it is possible to get to see our son but that has been impossible because of his status,' he said.
The boxing world and beyond are mourning the loss of Ayodele and Ghami, who were integral parts of Joshua's inner circle for over a decade. Latif 'Latz' Ayodele was Joshua's personal trainer and a close friend since the fighter's first world title win in 2016. A devout Muslim, a fundraiser set up to build a mosque in his memory has already raised nearly £200,000.
Sina Ghami served as Joshua's strength and conditioning coach for more than ten years and was the co-founder of Evolve Gym in London. His uncle, Shahryar Rumi, paid a moving tribute, calling him 'an angel living amongst us' and the 'least selfish person I have ever known.'
A Team Forged in Friendship
The bond between the three men was evident. Just hours before the tragic crash, Joshua had shared a social media video of himself and Ayodele laughing while playing table tennis. Ghami's last Instagram story appeared to show Joshua's motorcade travelling through Lagos.
Back in the UK, flowers and lit candles have been left outside Ghami's gym in northwest London. The deaths have sent shockwaves through the sporting community, with tributes coming from figures like New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams and rival boxer Tyson Fury.
As Anthony Joshua continues his recovery from both physical injuries and profound personal loss, the focus remains on supporting the families of the two men who were pillars of his team and his life.
