As the world welcomes the year 2026 with happiness, some individuals welcome with sadness. British former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is among those starting the new year on a somber note, following a car accident in ogun state, Nigeria that claimed the lives of his two close associates.
The 30-year -old was involved in a crash on the lagos-ibadan expressway on December 29, along with his personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami. Unfortunately Ayodele and Ghami succumbed to their injuries while Joshua survived with minor bruises.
Sources say th accident occurred when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck, with preliminary reports suggesting excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.
Joshua was taken to a hospital for observation and treatment, where he is reportedly in stable condition. The President of Nigeria, H . E President Bola Tinubu paid a visit to him, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing the boxer a speedy recovery.
Joshua’s Promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed the tragic news, stating that both men were close members of Joshua’s team ” With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away”
Joshua, born in Britain to British-Nigerian parents, spent part of his youth at a boarding school in Ikenne, Nigeria, before returning to the United Kingdom at the age of twelve. However due to the recent incident, Joshua has made public that “Not every place is meant to be revisited, I don’t think I’m coming back to Nigeria” .
