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Everything Anthony Joshua has said about horrific car crash that killed his friends
Need to know
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has spoken out and paid tribute to his two friends killed in the car crash that almost claimed his own life
Everything you need to know
- The Incident: Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal road collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria on December 29, 2025. His Lexus SUV struck a stationary vehicle while he was travelling to visit relatives for the New Year, an accident police suspect was caused by a “tyre burst due to excessive speed.”
- The Victims: The crash tragically claimed the lives of Joshua’s close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. These men were described by associates as “more than colleagues—they were family,” having served respectively as Joshua’s strength coach and personal trainer.
- A Narrow Escape: Joshua reportedly cheated death by moving from the front passenger seat to the back of the vehicle just minutes before the impact. He was asked to switch seats because his “large physique was obstructing the view of the vehicle’s wing mirror,” a move that likely saved his life.
- Personal Tributes: Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Joshua shared a poignant social media post captioned “My Brother’s Keeper” featuring photographs of himself supporting the grieving families. He admitted to friends that the reality of the loss “still hasn’t sunk in” and that the gravity of the situation “still hasn’t hit me yet.”
- Fallen “Brothers”: In response to the horrific accident, Joshua said: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers,” he wrote. I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.”
- Physical and Emotional Toll: Although he survived with minor injuries, eyewitnesses described Joshua as appearing “dazed” and “unable to speak” as he was helped from the wreckage. While recovering in a hospital treatment room, he shared his perspective on the tragedy with friend and former UFC champion Kamaru Usman: “Life is short, man. Life is short.”
- Future in Boxing: In the aftermath, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, claimed the fighter has “retired from boxing” to spare his family from further emotional trauma. While promoters acknowledge that “boxing will certainly be the last thing on his mind,” the former champion has yet to make a formal public announcement regarding his retirement.
- Legal Consequences: The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with four counts, including dangerous driving causing death and operating without a valid license. A police spokesperson confirmed the driver was granted bail but “remanded pending when he meets his bail condition” at a Nigerian magistrate’s court.
- The Funeral Service: Thousands of mourners, including Joshua, gathered at the London Central Mosque on January 4, 2026, for the Islamic Janaza funeral prayers. The service honoured the two men who “played significant roles in Joshua’s career” before they were laid to rest at Hendon Cemetery.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to ‘my brothers’ after fatal Nigeria car crash
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