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Tag: Anthony Joshua

  • Milking AJ’s misfortune

    Milking AJ’s misfortune

    Age-long cultural sensibility dictates that one does not feast on the misfortune of others. That is why a decent society would pull together in concerted support and consolation of any member befallen by tragedy, at least for the period it takes for that affected person to heal. It is the same underlying sentiment informing evil never being spoken of the dead. You might say it is more of an African taboo, but that is what defines our humanness. It detracts from the essence of humanity when people go on a spree to spice the misfortune of others, for whatever motive.

    Former world boxing champion with Nigerian roots, Anthony Joshua, has been treated to unsavory publicity over his recent experience of a car crash in which he lost two close buddies. Joshua had just won a fight against Jake Paul and was in Nigeria for the Yuletide when, on 29th December, a Lexus SUV conveying him and his friends rammed into a stationary truck on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Joshua’s close associates — Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach — died in the accident, which left the boxer with injuries that landed him in hospital for a couple of days.

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    Freelance reportage of the crash left a big question on humanistic decency. In video clips circulated online, there was scant sensitivity to privacy – neither of the living nor the dead. Besides distressing sight of half-clad Joshua being pulled from the wreckage, pictures of mangled bodies of the dead victims were shared obviously with no thought for how it would impact on loved ones. It was a grim feast of unsightly ruin used to garner traffic.

    Joshua recovered enough to get discharged from hospital on 31st December. Only his condition left fans guessing whether he would remain active in his career. Joshua himself hasn’t spoken to the issue, but opportunists have latched on to misinform by way of an Artificial Intelligence-generated video showing the boxer announcing his retirement from professional boxing. In the clip that went viral on social media, a distraught Joshua appeared to wish he had died in the crash instead of his friends. “They have left this world because of me. Therefore, I have officially decided to step away from boxing,” he purportedly declared, adding: “Because the moment I step into the ring, their faces appear in my mind, and that grief completely crushes me.” The video shared on an online site has had over 220k views with at least 1.2k shares.

    A fact-checking platform, CableCheck, however, identified irregularities in the footage consistent with AI manipulation. It cited several features of the footage showing that independent clips of the boxer were cobbled together with AI-generated voiceover. Its verdict was that the viral video was fake news.

    It’s so sad that Joshua’s distress has become fodder for misinformation. Vultures!

  • Anthony Joshua mourns as close friends are laid to rest in London

    Anthony Joshua mourns as close friends are laid to rest in London

    Two close friends and key members of Anthony Joshua’s team, Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele, have been buried in London following a fatal road accident in Nigeria on December 29, 2025.

    The remains of Ghami and Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer service was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

    Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer and a trusted confidant. Both men were regarded as integral figures within Joshua’s camp, and their deaths have sent shockwaves through the boxing community.

    Joshua, who sustained minor injuries in the accident, was visibly emotional as he attended the burial at Hendon Cemetery, paying his final respects alongside family members, friends, and supporters. Thousands had earlier gathered at the mosque to honour the late duo.

    The 36-year-old boxer was a passenger in the back of a black SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major highway near Lagos.

    Read Also: Tears, tributes at Anthony Joshua’s friends’ funeral prayer in London

    While Joshua survived the crash, both Ghami and Ayodele lost their lives. Joshua spent several days in the hospital before being discharged on New Year’s Eve.

    Breaking his silence on Sunday, Joshua shared a post on social media after returning to the UK, publishing a photo with his mother and members of the bereaved families, accompanied by the caption: “My Brother’s Keeper.”

    Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been arraigned at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. The case has been adjourned until January 20, with charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid licence.

  • Tears, tributes at Anthony Joshua’s friends’ funeral prayer in London

    Tears, tributes at Anthony Joshua’s friends’ funeral prayer in London

    It was a sad gathering in London on Sunday, January 4, 2026 as family and friends assembled for the Janaza (funeral) prayer service for Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele, close friends of boxing star Anthony Joshua.

    The service began at 10am at the London Central Mosque, 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG.

    A wake for the pair was also held at Cavendish Banqueting Hall in North West London. Then a funeral for Ghami took place at Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium.

    The bodies of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom following the fatal crash in Nigeria.

    Ghami and Ayodele tragically died in a road crash in Nigeria late last year, on Monday December 29, 2025, where Joshua was also involved but escaped with minor injuries.

    The accident occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in the Makun area of Ogun State, when the Lexus SUV carrying Anthony Joshua collided with a stationary truck, killing his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, at the scene.

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    The funeral in London allowed family, friends, and the boxing community to pay their final respects.

    On Sunday, Joshua shared his first public message since the tragedy across his social media platforms.

    Posting poignant images of himself standing alongside the grieving families of Sina and Latz, Joshua captioned the photo: “My Brother’s Keeper”.

    The driver of the car involved in the crash, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged by the Ogun State Police Command with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence.

    The case was adjourned until January 20 after the defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million and was remanded pending his bail conditions being met.

  • Joshua returns to UK for friends’ funeral after fatal car crash

    Joshua returns to UK for friends’ funeral after fatal car crash

    Anthony Joshua has returned to the UK following the tragic car crash that killed two of his close friends and left him hospitalised. According to The Sun, the boxer arrived at London Stansted Airport on a private jet on Friday night before being taken to his home to continue his recuperation.

    Joshua’s friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in the accident after chauffeur Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 47, collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Joshua was then taken to the Duchess International Hospital, where he remained until the New Year and was reported to be in a ‘stable’ condition.

    His mother, Yeta Odusanya, remained by his side, but other family members were not allowed to visit him at the private hospital in Lagos. David Joshua, an older brother of Joshua’s dad Robert, said at the time: “We have not been allowed to see him, but from information given by authorities, he is responding to treatment.”

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    His return to England comes as the funerals of his friends are reportedly set to take place on Sunday at a mosque in London. Family and friends are said to have been invited to a morning ‘janaza prayer service’ – the Islamic funeral prayer for Sina and Latif.

    A source said: “Anthony wants to go to the funeral but he hasn’t decided yet. He’s mindful that his presence could cause a circus and overshadow the funeral for the family of his two friends.”

    On Friday, it was reported that Kayode had been charged with ‘reckless and dangerous driving’ following the devastating crash that claimed two lives.

    He is believed to have undergone extensive questioning and given an official account of the moments leading up to the fatal collision that killed Ghami and Ayodele.

  • Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to departed friends

    Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to departed friends

    • Driver charged with reckless driving

    Moments after his discharge from the hospital late on New Year’s Eve, boxing superstar Anthony Joshua was driven to the funeral home where his two friends and aides were kept to pay them emotional respects.

    Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both 36, were killed after the Lexus SUV they were all travelling in ran into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Monday.

    There is fear in his camp about how the boxing star will deal with the trauma of losing the two close friends, according to the Daily Mail of London.

    Mobolaji Kayode, who drove the ill- fated Lexus, was yesterday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Sagamu for reckless driving.

    Kayode, 46, was arrested by the police shortly after he was discharged from a private hospital in Lagos on Wednesday, where he had received medical care following the accident.

    Joshua’s associate, Kolawole Omoboriowo, who  broke the news of the accident to the boxer’s family, is worried about getting AJ, as he is fondly called, “out of that traumatised situation?”

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    ‘What is actually in my head now is: “How do we get AJ out of that traumatised situation?”. And that is just the only thing that everybody is worried about right now,” the Daily Mail quoted him as telling Sky News.

    He added, “Right now, everybody might think AJ is okay. But we don’t know how he’s going to take it.

    “But right now we just want everybody to actually give him a moment to actually relax, rest, and we pick it up from there.

    “We just need to keep praying for AJ, for God to give him the strength to be able to carry on with these losses.”

    Omoboriowo coordinates Joshua’s logistics in Nigeria.

    The Ogun State Police Command yesterday confirmed that it arraigned Kayode in court for alleged reckless driving that claimed the lives of Joshua’s close friends.

    He was charged on four counts, including:

    *Dangerous driving causing death, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F: 135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as applicable in Ogun State).

     *Reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the same Act.

     *Driving without due Care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Act.

    *Driving without a valid National Driver’s Licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

      The defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) with two sureties.

    He was remanded pending when he meets his bail condition

    The case was adjourned to 20th January 2026 for trial.

  • Anthony Joshua’s driver to face charges

    Anthony Joshua’s driver to face charges

    The driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two close associates of former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has been taken into custody by the Ogun State Police Command and is expected to face charges.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun State, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the arrest yesterday, stating that investigations into the crash were ongoing.

    The accident occurred on December 29 along the Makun corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, when the SUV conveying Joshua and members of his team rammed into a stationary truck.

    Two of Joshua’s associates – his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami – died on the spot.

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    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.

    The driver sustained minor injuries and was initially treated at a Lagos-based private hospital before being discharged and transferred to Abeokuta for police questioning.

    He has provided a statement and may be charged with reckless driving, pending the conclusion of investigations.

    Joshua also sustained minor injuries and was discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, late Wednesday after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to recuperate at home.

    He was later seen with his mother at a Lagos funeral home to pay last respects to the deceased ahead of the repatriation of their remains to the United Kingdom.

  • JUST IN: Police arrest Anthony Joshua’s driver

    JUST IN: Police arrest Anthony Joshua’s driver

    The driver of the vehicle in which former boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates following an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been arrested, The Nation has learnt. 

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the driver’s arrest. 

    The Nation reports that Joshua had been discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, late Wednesday night after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recuperation from home.

    On Monday, a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and his team rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    Two of Joshua’s close associates — Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach — died in the accident.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said five adult males were involved, with two fatalities recorded, one person injured and two others escaping unhurt.

    FRSC officials attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, factors they described as among the leading causes of fatal road accidents on Nigerian highways.

    In a terse statement on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, Babaseyi on Thursday said, “The driver of the Lexus SUV is currently in custody in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case. Investigations are ongoing.”

  • Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal road accident

    Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal road accident

    The Lagos and Ogun State governments have announced the discharge of Anthony Joshua from hospital following the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two young men, Lateef Ayodele and Gami Cina, on Monday, December 29, 2025.

    In a joint statement, the two state governments once again commiserated with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as painful and deeply unfortunate. 

    They prayed that Almighty God would grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and give their families and loved ones the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

    The statement disclosed that Anthony Joshua and his mother were at a funeral home in Lagos on Wednesday to pay their final respects to the two late friends, whose bodies were being prepared for repatriation later in the evening.

    Read Also: PROFILES: Anthony Joshua’s two friends, Sina and Latif, who died in Monday crash

    According to the governments, Anthony Joshua was discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, late on Wednesday after doctors confirmed that he was clinically fit to continue his recuperation from home.

    Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed deep appreciation to members of the public for the overwhelming concern, prayers and show of love following the sad incident.

    They also conveyed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they described as his fatherly support throughout the period.

    The governments further commended the doctors and medical personnel at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, for the quality of care, professionalism and dedication shown in attending to Anthony Joshua and other injured victims of the accident.

    The statement was jointly signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, and the Ogun State Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade.

  • Boxing world sympathises with Joshua

    Boxing world sympathises with Joshua

    • Death of boxing icon’s associates in fatal crash throws Sagamu into mourning

    The boxing world, still in shock over Monday’s fatal road crash, in which boxing icon Anthony Joshua’s two associates died, yesterday sympathized with the former world heavy-weight champion.

    In tweets and statements, boxing legends – Oleksandr Usyk  and Tyson Fury – commiserated with Joshua over the death of his friends and wished him speedy recovery.

    Joshua and three others were travelling from Lagos to Sagamu in neighbuoring Ogun State when the Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) they were travelling in rammed into a stationary vehicle.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) gave the cause of accident as over speeding and overtaking on the wrong side.

    Fury, who is lined up as a possible next opponent for Joshua, took to social media to send a message on Joshua’s associates who died. He said, “This is so sad. May god give them a good bed in heaven.”

    Read Also: Akpoti-Uduaghan condoles Anthony Joshua, demands urgent road safety reforms

    Usyk  said in a social media post: “This is an unbelievable loss.”

     “They were two incredible people who were not only part of AJ’s team, but also friends! My sincere condolences to their families, loved ones, and everyone who knew them. Anthony – wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay strong, champion.”

    Leading boxing promoter and chairman of Matchroom Sports, Hearn, paid tribute on social media, writing: “With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace, Sina and Latif. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

    The Nigeria Boxing Federation  expressed profound condolences to  Joshua and the families of the two associates of the boxer who died.

     “On behalf of the entire Nigerian Boxing family, I express my deepest condolences to our national treasure, Anthony Joshua and the families of the two individuals who passed away,” President of the NBF Mr. Wale Edun said.

    Edun is also Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

    “The loss of life is always deeply distressing, and our thoughts and prayers are with you, Anthony and the affected families at this difficult time.

    “As a boxing community, we pray for your speedy recovery and that the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace,” he added.

    Also yesterday, dignitaries from all works of life were in the hospital to symathise with Joshua and wish him speedy recovery.

    Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), British Deputy Head of Mission  Simon Field,  Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and  National Sports Commission Director General   Bukola Olopade were at the hospital at various times yesterday.

    Ogun State governor’s spokesman Kayode AKinmade quoted the governor as reaffirming doctors’ remark that Joshua is stable, after his visit.

    Olopade  conveyed profound sympathy to Joshua and the families of the victims of the accident,

    “On behalf of the National Sports Commission and the entire Nigerian sports family, I express my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate accident,” Olopade said.

    Also, Works Minister Dave Umahi and the  Senator, representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, commiserated with the former heavyweight boxing champion.

    “My heart goes out to Anthony Joshua at this very painful time,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “Losing two close friends in such a tragic manner is devastating. I pray that God grants him strength and comfort, and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

    Umahi revealed that a special task force would be formed in February to check the illegal parking of trucks on highways.

     Sagamu, the Ogun State community, Joshua’s home town, was thrown into a mournful mood as a result of the accident.

    Family members of the boxer expressed deep shock over the death of Joshua’s associates.

    Some of the family members who spoke to reporters yesterday expressed worry that they have been unable to see their son, although they expressed joy he did not sustain  major injuries going by fillers from the hospital and media reports.

    Joshua’s uncle,  Adedamola Joshua, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the family said: “Since the incident happened, we have been rallying round to see if it is possible to get to see our son, but that has been impossible because of his status. We don’t know the hospital he was taken to, and we can understand that such is being done to protect him as a world figure.

    “However, we have been in touch with his father and mother, who are also in Nigeria, and they have assured us that Joshua is fine

    “We are also thinking that it will be fine if they allow even if it’s just three of the family members to see him, we are all eager to see him, but we will still respect the wish of the authority to keep him out of reach for now.

    “We are really sad that two people who were very close to Anthony died in this accident. Our hearts are with the families and associates of these young men. We pray that the Lord God Almighty will comfort everyone who is affected by this unfortunate incident.

    “Sincerely, the news that our son, Anthony, was involved in a fatal crash came to us as a rude shock. We did not get to hear of this terrible news on time.

    “Anthony comes on visits to Nigeria frequently. We felt so bad because this is the end of the year period, which we use as a family to create bond. It is really quite unfortunate.

    “The sad news jolted the Sagamu community, and up till now, everyone is still in shock. People have kept calling the family members to sympathise with us and get updates.’’

    Following the Monday accident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established contact with Joshua and his mum through the telephone. In a tweet on the incident, the President wished the boxer, who he described as an icon, speedy recovery.

  • PROFILES: Anthony Joshua’s two friends, Sina and Latif, who died in Monday crash

    PROFILES: Anthony Joshua’s two friends, Sina and Latif, who died in Monday crash

    Two of Anthony Joshua’s closest friends have been named as the individuals who died in a car crash, which left the two-time world heavyweight champion injured in Nigeria.

    Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both long-standing members of the boxer’s inner circle. The organisation confirmed the tragedy in an official statement.

    The outpouring of tributes from across the boxing world — from rivals to champions — speaks to the profound respect and affection they commanded.

    Sina and Latif, both long-time friends of Joshua, were killed after the Lexus SUV they were all travelling in smashed into a stationary truck shortly after 11:00 am on Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun.

    Joshua was seated in the rear of the vehicle when the collision occurred.

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    Sina Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade.

    He also co-founded Evolve Gym in London.

    According to the gym’s website, Ghami is a certified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

    Ghami had worked with athletes across several sports, including the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the Michigan State University football team.

    He was a key presence in Joshua’s corner during several landmark bouts, most notably the historic 2017 victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium — a defining moment in modern heavyweight boxing.

    Latif Ayodele, widely known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer.

    Ayodele regularly posted photos with Joshua on his Instagram page and was seen with the boxer shortly before the accident.

    While he officially served as Joshua’s personal trainer, Latz was also one of his closest friends.

    According to The Mirror, he was deeply passionate about fitness and played a central role in Joshua’s day-to-day training routines.

    Born Kevin Ayodele, he later converted to Islam and adopted the name Abdul Latif. Those who knew him described him as deeply committed to his faith and dedicated to inspiring others through discipline, training, and example.

    With over 11,000 followers on Instagram, @Healthy_Mindset was not merely a username but a philosophy. Latz built a community by authentically promoting a lifestyle built on discipline, rigorous physical training, and mental resilience. He lived the creed he preached, becoming a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide.