Anthony Joshua Mourns Two Close Friends in Emotional Tribute After Fatal Crash

British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has issued an emotional tribute to two of his close friends and longtime members of his training team who died in a road accident in Nigeria late last month, reflecting on the personal loss as funerals are arranged abroad.

Joshua, 36, made his first public social media post since the fatal crash on Monday, December 29 on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in which the Lexus SUV he was travelling in struck a stationary truck and killed his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both aged 36.

He shared the heartfelt message on Instagram after returning to the United Kingdom, expressing deep sorrow for the deaths of his friends and the impact of the tragedy.

The former world champion, who sustained only minor injuries in the same collision, was discharged from a Lagos hospital on New Year’s Eve before travelling back to the UK to recuperate and be with family members.

Eyewitness and media reports indicate that Joshua, accompanied by his mother, also visited the families of his deceased friends and paid respects at a funeral home in Lagos prior to their repatriation for memorial services scheduled in London.

In his tribute, Joshua marked the loss of Ghami and Ayodele with poignant reflections on their roles in his life and career, acknowledging their unwavering support both professionally and personally.

He captioned images of them with wording that underscored their bond and underscored the profound grief he felt in the wake of the accident.

The accident, which occurred when the vehicle collided with the truck while en route on a major federal highway in Ogun State, also saw the driver later charged by Nigerian police with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing death. The driver was granted bail with remand conditions as the case remains pending trial.

The boxing community and sporting figures around the world have expressed condolences, with peers and rivals alike paying tribute to the deceased and offering support to Joshua during his period of mourning.