Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will spend the New Year in hospital in Nigeria following a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Police have confirmed the collision was caused by a tyre blowout.
Details of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash
The incident occurred on Monday, December 30, 2025, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that crashed into the rear of a stationary vehicle. He was pulled from the wreckage and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Tragically, two other passengers, Joshua's friends and long-time training team members Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, were killed instantly. Joshua has since been transferred to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, one of Nigeria's leading medical facilities, where he is expected to remain for at least a couple more days.
Police Investigation Points to Excessive Speed
On Tuesday, Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) provided details of the early investigation. He stated the Lexus was travelling from Lagos to Sagamu when it "experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed" and subsequently lost control.
Joshua was seated in the back of the vehicle, directly behind the driver who also survived. Lanre Ogunlowo, Commissioner of Ogun State Police, reiterated that Joshua's condition is stable and he is not expected to require surgery for his injuries.
Tributes Pour In for Lost Members of Team AJ
The boxing world is mourning the loss of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who were integral parts of Joshua's inner circle for over a decade. Ghami served as Joshua's strength and conditioning coach and was co-founder of London's Evolve Gym. Ayodele, known affectionately as 'Latz', was Joshua's personal trainer and a devout Muslim.
In a heartbreaking twist, just hours before the fatal accident, Ayodele had shared a video on Instagram of himself and Joshua laughing during a game of table tennis. Tributes have flooded in from across the sporting community, including from New Zealand rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams.
Joshua's mother, Yeta Odusanya, has rushed to his bedside in Nigeria. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, spoke of the family's distress, noting they had initially struggled to locate the Olympian due to his status but are now assured he is receiving the best possible care.
