Speaking for the first time about the crash, the boxer paid tribute to his “brothers” in a YouTube video
Speaking for the first time about the crash, the boxer paid tribute to his “brothers” in a YouTube video
22:01, 29 Jan 2026Updated 22:08, 29 Jan 2026
Anthony Joshua has spoken about the devastating impact the deaths of two close friends have had on him following a fatal crash in Nigeria. The British boxing champion was travelling as a passenger in a black SUV when it collided with a stationary lorry on a major road near Lagos on December 29.
Two of Joshua’s close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, 36, and Sina Ghami, 36, were killed in the crash. The driver of the vehicle later appeared in court in Nigeria on January 20, charged with four offences, including causing death by dangerous driving.
Joshua remarkably survived with only minor injuries and has spent the early weeks of 2026 grieving the loss of his friends, who formed part of his closest circle. In a video titled “My Brothers Keeper For Life” posted to his YouTube channel, Joshua became visibly emotional while describing what the pair meant to him.
“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 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.”
Fighting back tears, he added: “They’re my brothers, they’re my friends first and foremost.” Joshua revealed he had been living with Latz, who was his personal trainer, and Ghami, his recovery therapist, reports the Mirror.
The friends had been in Nigeria on holiday to visit family at the end of 2025. He continued: “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.”
He also discussed how his brush with tragedy had triggered deep thoughts about his own mortality. 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.”
The 36-year-old also thanked his fans for the messages of support they had sent, saying: “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.”
Joshua hinted he is not considered retiring from boxing – and that he wants to continue his career in memory of his close allies. He told fans: “I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right. The mission must go on… I understand my duty.”
He added: “I’m gonna do what’s right by them. I’m gonna do what’s right by their family.”
Joshua spent a few days recovering in hospital after the terrifying crash. After flying back to London, he attended the funerals of both friends and posted photos of himself spending time with their families.
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 for Aylesbury United, Tooting and Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood.
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 and worked with athletes in other sports.