By Emmanuel Okogba
Two shut associates of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua have been confirmed useless following a deadly highway accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, recognized the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, each long-standing members of the boxer’s inside circle. The organisation confirmed the tragedy in an official assertion.
“With profound unhappiness, it has been confirmed that two shut mates and staff members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically handed away,” Matchroom Boxing stated.
The assertion added that Joshua sustained accidents within the crash and was taken to hospital for medical checks and remedy. “He’s in a secure situation and can stay beneath remark,” the corporate stated.
The BBC additionally confirmed that the deceased have been key members of Joshua’s staff, noting that each males had labored intently with the boxer for a number of years. Simply hours earlier than the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story exhibiting him taking part in desk tennis with Ayodele, popularly often known as Latz.
Victims Recognized
Sina Ghami was Joshua’s power and conditioning coach for greater than a decade and a detailed private pal. He additionally co-founded Evolve Gymnasium in London and was a professional sports activities and train rehabilitator specialising in musculoskeletal accidents and corrective train.
In keeping with the BBC, Ghami labored with elite athletes throughout a number of sports activities, together with the Nationwide Soccer League, the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation and Michigan State College’s soccer programme. He had posted pictures from Lagos shortly earlier than the crash and steadily shared photographs with Joshua on social media.
Latif Ayodele, extensively often known as Latz, served as Joshua’s private coach. His social media exercise mirrored a deep dedication to health and religion, with common posts documenting his work alongside the boxer. He was seen with Joshua shortly earlier than the accident and featured in a video shared on-line hours earlier.
How the Crash Occurred
The accident reportedly occurred round 11:00 a.m. at Makun, close to Danco Filling Station, earlier than the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound part of the expressway.
An eyewitness described the incident as involving a two-vehicle convoy comprising a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.
“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the motive force, with one other individual beside him. There was additionally a passenger sitting beside the motive force, making 4 occupants within the Lexus that crashed. His safety element was within the automobile behind them earlier than the crash,” the eyewitness stated.
“Different eyewitnesses and I started the rescue and flagged down oncoming autos to help. A couple of minutes after the crash, officers of the Federal Highway Security Corps arrived,” he added.
The witness stated two passengers died on the scene, whereas Joshua sustained minor accidents.
Official Affirmation
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two occupants of the automobile died immediately, whereas Joshua and one other particular person have been taken to hospital.
In a press release shared on X, the police stated the our bodies have been deposited on the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, including that investigations had commenced.
The Federal Highway Security Corps (FRSC), in preliminary findings, attributed the crash to extreme velocity and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV misplaced management earlier than colliding with a stationary truck.
Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian mother and father, attended boarding college in Ikenne, only a few kilometres from the place the accident occurred.
Presidential Response
President Bola Tinubu later confirmed the identities of the deceased and stated he had spoken immediately with the boxer.
In a publish on X, Tinubu stated the victims have been Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, describing them as Joshua’s shut associates. Ghami served as his power and conditioning coach, whereas Ayodele was his private coach.
“AJ assured me he’s receiving the very best care,” Tinubu wrote.
“I additionally spoke along with his mom and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the decision.”
Tributes Pour In
Since information of the incident broke, tributes have flooded social media from followers, athletes and public figures, mourning the lack of Ghami and Ayodele and providing messages of assist to Joshua and their households.
Amongst them is Joshua’s current opponent, Jake Paul who wrote “I’m praying for the misplaced lives, AJ and anybody impacted by as we speak’s unlucky accident.”
The publish Sina and Latif: Anthony Joshua’s friends who died in Lagos-Ibadan expressway car crash appeared first on Vanguard News.
