Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has reflected in detail about the fatal crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his two close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami just about a month ago.
Speaking for the first time on the tragedy, the 36-year-old boxer shared a video to his social media channel explaining how things have been for him over the last 31 days, just as he heaped praises on his fans for standing by him.
Joshua, who fought back tears as he shared an emotional update on his recovery, disclosed that he is not considered retiring from boxing but that he wants to continue his career in memory of his close allies.
The British boxer was among the three passengers in the back of a black SUV when it hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Lagos in Nigeria on December 29. The collision claimed the lives of Ayodele, 36, and Ghami, 36. The driver of the vehicle recently appeared in court in Nigeria on January 20, having been charged with four crimes, including death by dangerous driving.
Joshua miraculously escaped with minor injuries and has spent the start of 2026 mourning the loss of his friends, who were part of his inner circle
Speaking in a video entitled “My Brothers Keeper For Life” on his YouTube channel, the visibly broken Joshua explained how the trip had started with optimism before everything changed in an instant.
He added: “We had so many plans to wrap up 2025, and we were on a mission… We went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped upside on its head.”
Sharing the bond he shared with his departed friends, he said, “[They were] major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives, it’s tough, it’s really tough. They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.’’
Fighting back tears, he said, “Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose like two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about.’’
He disclosed that he had been living with Latz, who was his personal trainer, and Ghami, his recovery therapist.
He said: “One day my time will come, and I’m not scared either at all. It’s actually comforting knowing that I’ve got two brothers on the other side.”
Reflecting further, he said he now feels a responsibility to carry on their work and support their families.
He said: “The mission must go on… I understand my duty. I’m gonna do what’s right by them. I’m gonna do what’s right by their family.”
Joshua also thanked his fans for the messages of support they had sent: “I could reach out to all of you far and wide, worldwide who are showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.”
Ayodele, known as Latz, was a British-Nigerian personal trainer and close friend of Joshua. Before converting to Islam, he was previously known as Kevin Ayodele and played football.
On his part, Ghami worked as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. He co-founded of Evolve Gym in London and was a certified sports and exercise rehabilitator.
