British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua is recovering in a Lagos hospital following a horrific road collision in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.
The Fatal Collision on a Deadly Highway
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, 29 December 2025, on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The SUV carrying Joshua and his friends collided with a stationary truck. Local traffic police have suggested the vehicle may have been exceeding the 50mph speed limit at the time of the crash.
Joshua, who was a passenger in the car, was sitting in the back left seat. The vehicle was being driven by a local driver, who survived the impact. The right side of the SUV bore the brunt of the collision, suffering severe damage.
Remembering the Victims: A Devastating Loss
The crash instantly killed both of Joshua's companions. Sina Ghami, 36, had been Joshua's strength and conditioning coach for over a decade and was the owner of Evolve Gyms in London. Latif "Latz" Ayodele, also 36, was the boxer's personal trainer and a childhood friend from the Watford area.
The trio were travelling to the city of Sagamu to visit Joshua's family for the festive period. Tributes have poured in for the two men, with flowers and candles left outside Ghami's gym. A fundraiser set up in Ayodele's memory, for a mosque and clean water project, has raised over £190,000.
Recovery and an Uncertain Future in the Ring
Joshua's family has confirmed he is in a "stable" condition and "responding to treatment" at a private hospital in Lagos, where his mother is by his side. He is expected to remain in care until the New Year.
The crash has thrown the boxing world into uncertainty. Joshua was fresh from a victory over Jake Paul on 19 December and was due to face Tyson Fury in a long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown. Promoter Frank Warren has expressed doubts, questioning whether Joshua will have the "appetite to fight" again after the physical and profound emotional trauma of the crash and the loss of his friends.
While his physical condition is improving, the full extent of his injuries and the psychological impact of the event on his career remain unknown. Neither Joshua nor his management team have commented on his future in the sport.
