Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has issued his first public message since a horrific car accident in Nigeria claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.
The crash occurred on Monday, December 29, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua, now 36, was in the vehicle at the time of the incident but survived with relatively minor injuries.
After the accident, the boxer was rushed to hospital where he received medical attention before being discharged on New Year’s Eve. He later returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday. A few days after arriving back in Britain, Joshua took to his social media platforms on Sunday to address the tragedy for the first time.
In an emotional tribute, Joshua remembered his late friends and expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support he has received since the incident. The post featured a solemn image of him standing with the families of Sina and Latz, symbolising unity and shared grief during an extremely painful moment.
Accompanying the image was a brief but deeply moving caption: “My Brother’s Keeper ❤️️❤️.”
Both Sina and Latz are scheduled to be laid to rest on Sunday. According to reports, the fatal crash happened when the SUV conveying Joshua and three others rammed into a stationary truck after suffering an alleged brake failure.
Joshua had only recently arrived in Nigeria for a holiday following his knockout victory over Jake Paul. He narrowly escaped death after switching from the front passenger seat to the back shortly before the collision, a move reportedly prompted by concerns that his size was obstructing the driver’s visibility.
Although he sustained a fracture to his leg, he was said to be in stable condition and did not require emergency medical intervention.
What you should know
Anthony Joshua’s message marks his first public response since the fatal Lagos–Ibadan Expressway crash that claimed the lives of his strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele.
The boxer survived after switching seats shortly before the impact, a decision that may have saved his life. While he sustained a leg fracture, he has since been discharged and returned to the UK.
His brief tribute underscores the deep personal loss behind the headlines and highlights the close bond he shared with both men.
