Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has broken his social media silence with an emotional tribute to his two childhood friends who tragically died in a car accident in Nigeria last December. The boxing superstar took to Instagram on Thursday evening to thank the public for their overwhelming support and honour the memory of his long-time strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.
Heartbreaking Tribute to Childhood Friends Turned Business Partners
In his poignant social media post, Joshua revealed the depth of his relationship with both men, describing them first as brothers and friends before they became his business partners. "The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami," Joshua wrote, reflecting on their final conversations. "We had so many plans to wrap up 2025. We went home, to see our families and everything got flipped on its head."
Tragic Details of the Lagos Road Accident
The fatal collision occurred in December on a major road outside Lagos, Nigeria, shortly after Joshua's victory over Jake Paul in Miami. Local reports indicate that the vehicle carrying Ghami and Ayodele collided with a stationary heavy goods truck during the early morning hours. Both men, who had been spending time with Joshua in his home country, tragically lost their lives in the accident.
The news sent shockwaves through the boxing community, where both Ghami and Ayodele were widely known and respected figures. Ghami had worked with Joshua for years as his strength and conditioning coach and sports rehabilitation specialist, while Ayodele had been a constant presence in Joshua's inner circle since childhood before becoming his personal trainer.
London Funeral and Emotional Instagram Post
Following the accident, the bodies of both men were returned to the United Kingdom, where a joint funeral service was held at a London mosque on January 4. Joshua, family members, friends, and boxing colleagues gathered to pay their respects during the emotional ceremony.
Shortly after the service, Joshua shared a particularly moving image on Instagram showing himself sitting alongside his mother and the families of Ghami and Ayodele, all holding a framed photograph of Ghami. The boxer captioned the image with the powerful phrase "My Brothers Keeper," indicating his commitment to supporting those he feels responsible for.
Commitment to Supporting Families
In his social media statement, Joshua reaffirmed his dedication to looking after the families of his late friends. "My goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals (for their families)," the former champion declared, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to those left behind.
The comments section of Joshua's posts flooded with tributes from fans and fellow athletes, offering prayers and heartfelt sympathy during this difficult period. The outpouring of support highlighted how deeply the tragedy has affected both Joshua personally and the wider sporting community.
Return to Training and Boxing Future
Joshua has recently returned to training, sharing images of himself back in the gym in mid-January. He described these sessions as "mental strength therapy," with posts showing him shadowboxing, riding an exercise bike, and swimming. However, his boxing future remains understandably uncertain during this period of mourning.
Those close to the former champion have stressed the importance of giving him time and space to grieve properly before making any decisions about his professional future. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, who has worked with him since he turned professional in 2013, has suggested the boxer might eventually choose to return to the sport in honour of his late friends.
Promoter's Insight on Joshua's Recovery Process
"He's a very positive guy," Hearn told Daily Mail Sport in New York ahead of the Teofimo Lopez versus Shakur Stevenson fight. "I was with him in Dubai and he was training out there. I think sometimes people misconceive that as training for a fight. He's not in camp. He's training to get over his injuries, and for his mental health as well as his physical health."
Hearn continued: "It's something he's always done and will continue to do. It's a painful time for him, no doubt, as it is for many people close to Sina and Latz. But his love for boxing will always make him want to return to the ring. There could be a case of him wanting to fight on in their honour. Whether that happens, we'll see. That will come from Anthony when the time is right."
The tragedy has clearly affected Joshua profoundly, but his recent social media activity and return to training suggest he is beginning to process his grief while maintaining his connection to the sport that brought him and his late friends together.
