Anthony Joshua Injury Update
Tragedy struck on a busy Nigerian highway when Anthony Joshua's car crashed, killing two of his closest team members and leaving the boxer with minor injuries. Matchroom Boxing provided an update on Anthony Joshua on X, extending thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of Sina and Latz, concluding with RIP.
The accident happened around 11 a.m. local time on Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major road linking Lagos to Ogun State. Joshua, the British heavyweight with Nigerian roots, was riding in the back of a Lexus SUV with Sina Ghami, his physiotherapist, and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, his longtime personal trainer and friend.
Reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps say the driver was speeding during an overtake, lost control, and slammed into a stationary truck on the roadside. Ghami and Ayodele died at the scene two male foreign nationals, as Ogun State officials put it bluntly.
Just hours earlier, life looked normal. Social media clips show Joshua and Ayodele known online as healthy mindset playing a casual game of table tennis in Lagos. Ayodele had stuck by Joshua for over a decade, through title wins and losses. Ghami, the physio, was another steady presence, posting from Nigeria recently. It's the kind of bond that makes boxing teams feel like family, not just coworkers. Heartbreaking to think one wrong move on that road ended it all so fast.
Joshua's in stable condition, no emergency treatment needed, according to a joint statement from Lagos and Ogun state governments. Photos circulating online capture the chaos: the wrecked Lexus, Joshua wincing as rescuers pulled him out. He's talking to family, even got a personal call from Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who offered condolences and prayers.
Joshua's mom was on the line too, grateful for the support. Promoter Eddie Hearn, catching wind while on family holiday, said they're still piecing together details but Joshua looks okay from the images. No word yet on exact injuries could be bruises, cuts, maybe a knock to the head but police confirm he's under observation in an undisclosed hospital.
Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing put out a statement confirming the deaths of Ghami and Ayodele, calling them close friends and key parts of Joshua's circle. Hearn himself tweeted a simple tribute: "Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers with everyone." Boxing insider Steve Bunce chipped in on BBC Radio 5 Live, painting the picture they weren't just staff; they were "massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine," always by his side from early days.
Losing them feels like a gut punch to the whole sport. It's a reminder how these roads in Nigeria can turn deadly quick speeding, overtakes gone wrong, trucks parked haphazardly. Stats from local safety corps show this expressway's notorious for pileups.
Joshua had jetted to Nigeria for a holiday, just 10 days after knocking out Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. That win was meant to sharpen him up after dropping the heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk back in 2021. Paul, never one to stay quiet, posted: "Life is much more important than boxing. Praying for the lost lives, AJ, and anyone impacted." Fair play from the YouTuber-turned-fighter. Joshua's no stranger to Nigeria went to boarding school there at 11, returned in 2019 before facing Andy Ruiz Jr. This trip? Pure downtime, until it wasn't.
Looking ahead, Joshua's eyeing a massive 2026 clash with Tyson Fury. But right now, that's on hold. Hearn's focused on getting real updates, not speculating. The crash investigation rolls on speed was a factor, but full details pending. Families of Ghami and Ayodele deserve privacy amid the grief; Matchroom asked for that respectfully.
Quick timeline of key events:
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Early Monday: Joshua and Ayodele play table tennis, post video.
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11 a.m.: Lexus SUV crashes into truck on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
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Immediate aftermath: Two dead on site, Joshua to hospital.
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Monday evening: State statements confirm stability; Tinubu calls.
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Tuesday updates: Hearn seeks injury details; tributes pour in.
Boxing moves fast, but this slows everything down. Joshua's tough been through wars in the ring but highways don't pull punches. Speedy recovery's the hope, alongside justice for the road hazards that let this happen. Fans everywhere sending strength.
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on early reports from local authorities, media coverage, and official statements available at the time of writing. Details regarding the accident, injuries, and investigation outcomes may change as more verified information becomes available. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a definitive account, medical assessment, or legal conclusion. Readers are encouraged to rely on official updates from law enforcement, medical professionals, and authorized representatives for the most accurate information.
