Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29, which tragically claimed the lives of two of his close friends and integral team members, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. The accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when the Lexus SUV they were travelling in collided with a stationary truck. Both Ghami and Ayodele, aged 36, died in the collision.

Sina Ghami, a British citizen, had served as Joshua's full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for over a decade, playing a crucial role in preparing the 36-year-old former champion for significant fights, including his title-winning match against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and his recent victory over Jake Paul. Ayodele, a Nigerian-British citizen, was a personal trainer and a longtime friend of Joshua. Just hours before the crash, Joshua had shared a video on Instagram of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele. Both men were described as massive parts of the Anthony Joshua winning machine.

Anthony Joshua himself narrowly escaped death. According to court testimonies and reports, Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat but moved to the back of the SUV shortly before impact. His driver requested the swap because Joshua's considerable size was obstructing the wing mirror, making it difficult to see properly. Joshua sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized following the crash. He was discharged on New Year's Eve and returned to the United Kingdom on Friday night to continue his recuperation. On Sunday, Joshua shared his first public message since the tragedy, posting poignant images with the grieving families of Sina and Latz, captioned “My Brother’s Keeper ❤️🕊️❤️”, offering quiet support and solidarity.

The bodies of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom for burial. Their Janaza (funeral) prayer service was scheduled to take place at 10 am at the London Central Mosque, located at 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG, allowing family, friends, and the boxing community to pay their final respects. Joshua, along with his mother and other family members, was expected to attend the service.

The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, has been arrested and charged with four counts, including dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s licence, contrary to the Federal Highway Act. Kayode, who has worked for Joshua for more than three years, pleaded not guilty to all charges at Sagamu Magistrates’ Court. His lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, stated that Kayode claimed the vehicle’s brakes failed, and he attempted to swerve to avoid a truck allegedly parked illegally by the roadside. Kayode’s 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, also defended his father, asserting that the crash was an accident, his father was not a fast driver, and the brakes failed. Bail was granted for N5 million, and the case was adjourned until January 20.

The crash occurred while Joshua was in Nigeria to celebrate New Year with his family. He has strong family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun state, near the crash site. Joshua had recently defeated Jake Paul in an exhibition heavyweight bout and was visiting his ancestral home, having been picked up from the airport and only minutes away from his destination when the tragedy struck.

The incident sparked broader discussions about road safety and emergency response in Nigeria. Initial reports and social media reactions were confusing, with some blaming bad roads or speeding. While the driver claimed brake failure, some observers, like columnist Simon Kolawole, noted that the image of the wreckage suggested the car might have been speeding above the limit. The prompt official reaction to charge the driver was noted. The tragedy also highlighted critical issues such as the lack of basic understanding of first aid among passers-by at accident scenes, the speed and quality of emergency services' response, and the general conduct of heavy-duty vehicle drivers on Nigerian highways. Joshua's survival, attributed to his last-minute seat change, saved him from a more direct impact, as his friends were seated on the side of the collision. The emotional toll on Joshua, including potential survivor's guilt, was acknowledged, given the deep personal loss and his pride in his Nigerian heritage. There was an appeal for government at all levels to make accident and emergency response a core focus of governance, improving speed and quality of response and enforcing speed controls.