British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has sustained injuries following a tragic car crash in Nigeria, which resulted in the deaths of two close friends and team members. The incident occurred when the Lexus SUV Joshua was traveling in collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos. The two deceased individuals, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, were integral members of Joshua's team, according to a statement from Matchroom Boxing, his promoting agency.
Joshua, who is currently hospitalized and in stable condition, was a passenger in the vehicle. Initial investigations by the Nigeria Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) suggest that the SUV experienced a tire burst due to excessive speed, leading to the driver losing control. Both Joshua and the driver were rescued from the scene and transported to a hospital for medical treatment, but unfortunately, Ghami and Ayodele were pronounced dead at the scene.
In a heartfelt statement, Matchroom Boxing offered condolences and requested privacy for the bereaved families during this difficult time. Eddie Hearn, the group's chairman and a boxing promoter, paid tribute to Ayodele and Ghami, describing them as 'two great men' who played vital roles in supporting Joshua's boxing career. Boxing expert Steve Bunce has emphasized the impact of this loss, noting the deep connections Ayodele and Ghami had with Joshua.
Before the crash, Joshua had shared a video on Instagram showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele, while Ghami had recently been active on social media from Lagos. A joint statement from the governments of Ogun and Lagos states confirmed Joshua's stable condition and communicated that a thorough investigation into the accident is underway. Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also extended his condolences and expressed his wishes for Joshua's prompt recovery.
The fatal crash occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around noon local time, with images released by Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) showing the wreckage and bystanders at the scene. This particular stretch of road is notorious for its high accident rates, especially burgeoning with traffic during festive seasons. Joshua, born in Watford with familial ties to Sagamu, a town near the crash site, had been spending time in Nigeria.