Anthony Joshua’s joyful trip to Nigeria turned into a devastating loss for the world of boxing and for those close to the heavyweight star after a car crash on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway claimed the lives of two of his most trusted companions. While Joshua survived with only minor injuries, the identities of the two men who died have now been confirmed, bringing into sharp relief the human cost behind the tragic incident.
The first man lost was Sina Ghami, a figure whose influence extended far beyond the gym. Ghami was the strength and conditioning coach who had spent more than a decade working alongside Joshua, helping shape his physical preparation through training camps, title fights, and comebacks. Known for his deep expertise in athletic performance and rehabilitation, Ghami was also co-founder of a prominent London gym where he worked with elite athletes across sports. His presence in Team Joshua was a constant — quietly fundamental to the heavyweight’s power, endurance, and resilience in the ring.
Equally mourned is Kevin “Latif” Ayodele, affectionately known to friends and colleagues as Latz. Ayodele served as Joshua’s personal trainer and was widely regarded as one of his closest friends. Before dedicating his life to training and fitness, Ayodele had roots in football and later embraced a lifestyle dedicated to health, positivity, and community — traits that endeared him to Joshua and others around him. The two had shared lighter moments together just hours before the tragedy, capturing scenes of friendly competition and camaraderie that now underscore how sudden and cruel life can be.
Both men were more than professionals in their fields: they were trusted friends and everyday fixtures in the life of a man who has carried not just sporting ambitions but personal vulnerabilities through the highs and lows of international fame. Their work behind the scenes helped forge a world champion’s peak performance; their presence represented friendship rooted in loyalty and shared journeys.
In the wake of the crash, tributes have poured in not only from those within boxing but from the wider athletic community and fans who recognise the impact Ghami and Ayodele had — not only in shaping Joshua’s body, but in shaping moments of strength and preparation that made him one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.
As investigations continue into the circumstances of the crash, the focus now turns as much to honouring the memories of these two men as to understanding the events themselves. Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latz” Ayodele will be remembered not just for the roles they played, but for the lives they lived and the people they supported along the way.
source: TMZ Sky News Yahoo Sports
