Anthony Joshua, the renowned former heavyweight champion, found himself embroiled in a tragic car accident on Monday in Ogun State, Nigeria. The devastating crash claimed the lives of his close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Although Joshua escaped with minor injuries, the emotional toll weighs heavily on him.
The incident unfolded when a tire burst on their vehicle, causing it to veer uncontrollably into a stationary truck. Lanre Ogunlowo, the Ogun State Police Commissioner, confirmed this sequence of events. He stated, "The accident happened as a result of a burst tyre on AJ's vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road."
Grappling with such profound loss comes just ten days after Joshua enjoyed a major high - a knockout victory over Jake Paul that significantly bolstered his career profile. Before this tragic event, reports suggested he rode on that success, appearing in good spirits as he embraced another celebrated moment in his career.
Tragedy struck deeply not only for Joshua but also for Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. The team's promoter shared heartfelt words:
"With profound sadness," Hearn expressed through Matchroom Boxing’s official statement. "It has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away."
Sina Ghami played an essential role as a sport and exercise rehabilitation specialist for Joshua. As co-founder of London's Evolve Gym, he helped maintain Joshua's physical longevity while also working with other elite athletes like Le'Veon Bell and Draymond Green.
Kevin Latif Ayodele—often called Latz—was known for his dedication as Joshua's personal trainer. A deep commitment to fitness marked his passion alongside embracing his religious faith through conversion to Islam, adopting 'Abdul Latif' after previously being known as Kevin Ayodele.
A poignant memory reflects these relationships made even more special by recent videos shared by AJ himself just hours before tragedy struck—an Instagram clip featuring Anthony and Kevin Latif Ayodele engaged tenderly over table tennis proves difficult now without them lingering forevermore among cherished moments.
For deeper insights about those involved—in particular how their personal journeys intersect at various intersections—we recommend [learning more about Sina Ghami](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sughami/) or revisiting [Kevin's unique path within fitness circles](https://www.instagram.com/kevalatif).