Boxing Jan 22, 2026

Anthony Joshua car crash: British heavyweight champion will need time after deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, says Andy Scott

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Anthony Joshua car crash: British heavyweight champion will need time after deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, says Andy Scott

This is a tragic story. When faced with a situation like this, it is incredible how the boxing community comes together.

I think we all were shocked by the news as it dripped through. I received a message saying Anthony Joshua had been involved in a car accident in Nigeria and then shortly after the details emerged that two fatalities had occurred, but that he had survived.

Then it was released in a statement that they were two close friends of his and key long-term members of his team, Sina Ghami and Kevin 'Latif' Ayodele.

AJ has had a big entourage throughout the years, from which it has grown. But Sina and Latif - or 'Latz', as he was known - were there virtually since the start.

They were very recognisable faces. I've been in the company of Sina, AJ's strength and conditioner, a couple of times. On fight nights, he was the man preparing Joshua in the final moments before the bell.

The outpouring of love that's flowed since is just incredible. We have also seen some of our sport's big names share their support and condolences to all those involved, including Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, Chris Eubank Jr, Jake Paul, Adam Azim, Conor Benn and Wladimir Klitschko.

Sina and Latif were inner members of his team. AJ's going to feel it very hard.

It was really distressing watching those videos that emerged on social media on Monday.

Badou Jack, the former cruiserweight world champion and multi-weight world champion, is involved in a project to raise some money.

He was very close to Latz. Jack took the initiative and became involved with a project online hoping to raise some money, targeting £50,000, to build a mosque in Latif's honour and a borehole for water.

That's already surpassed £137,000 as the outpouring continues and everybody sends their thoughts, prayers, sympathies and condolences, not just to AJ, but the people around those two families.

AJ is still in hospital, under surveillance and recovering. I have reached out privately to their team.

But at the moment it's very difficult to process for everyone. With stories like this, it's a blessing and a curse, social media - there's lots of details out there but also some false information.

I'm sticking to the tried and tested until I see it from one of the real sources close to Anthony Joshua, which is 258 BXG and his team, or Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.

I'll refrain from speculating other than saying he's going to need a hell of a lot of time and space to process this physically and mentally.

It's very difficult to put into words or even try to imagine what he's going through at the moment.

The next couple of days are not going to be easy. He looked to be in serious distress being lifted from the car but he will also be coming to terms with the fact he's lost two of his closest friends, who have been with him through the good times and the bad.

Life can be so fragile and this is a cruel reminder of that. All of our thoughts are with him, his team and the families of Sina and Latif.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Tyson Fury: Arslanbek Makhmudov one of 'top three' options for April comeback fight, says manager Spencer Brown

Tyson Fury: Arslanbek Makhmudov one of 'top three' options for April comeback fight, says manager Spencer Brown

Tyson Fury is holding advanced contract talks over a comeback fight in April and Arslanbek Makhmudov is among the 'top three' potential opponent, conf...

Anthony Joshua car crash: Trial of driver involved in fatal collision has hearing adjourned until February 25

Anthony Joshua car crash: Trial of driver involved in fatal collision has hearing adjourned until February 25

The trial of the driver involved in the fatal accident that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his team has been adjourned until next month.Aden...

Oleksandr Usyk is welcome to defend his WBC title against Deontay Wilder, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

Oleksandr Usyk is welcome to defend his WBC title against Deontay Wilder, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has reiterated that Deontay Wilder is "welcome" to challenge for Oleksandr Usyk's WBC title amid speculation about a f...

Deontay Wilder 'close' to agreeing terms for a fight against Derek Chisora in April

Deontay Wilder 'close' to agreeing terms for a fight against Derek Chisora in April

Deontay Wilder is 'close' to agreeing a deal for a fight against Derek Chisora in April.The American former world heavyweight champion has been holdin...

Tyson Fury Q&A: Key questions answered after retirement U-turn

Tyson Fury Q&A: Key questions answered after retirement U-turn

Tyson Fury is coming out of retirement and has promised that his return to the ring will be the biggest and best event of 2026.Out of action since suf...

Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight champion is 'only voice' who can decide boxing future, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight champion is 'only voice' who can decide boxing future, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua is the 'only voice' who can make a decision about his future in the sport, says promoter Eddie Hearn. Joshua's close friends and team m...