Anthony Joshua remained under medical observation in Lagos on Tuesday after a road traffic collision on Nigeria’s Lagos–Ibadan expressway killed two members of his team, prompting tributes from across boxing and a high-profile response from Nigerian officials as authorities pointed to excessive speed and an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre as likely causes. Joshua, 36, was travelling…
Anthony Joshua remained under medical observation in Lagos on Tuesday after a road traffic collision on Nigeria’s Lagos–Ibadan expressway killed two members of his team, prompting tributes from across boxing and a high-profile response from Nigerian officials as authorities pointed to excessive speed and an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre as likely causes.
Joshua, 36, was travelling in a Lexus sport-utility vehicle when it crashed into a stationary truck on the busy corridor linking Nigeria’s commercial capital to the south-western city of Ibadan. The incident, which occurred in Ogun State, left two passengers dead at the scene while Joshua and at least one other person were taken to hospital. Nigerian officials said those treated were stable and did not require emergency intervention, adding that Joshua had been in contact with family members following the crash.
In a statement released by Joshua’s camp, his promoter Matchroom Boxing and management company 258 BXG confirmed the deaths of two “close friends and team members” and said the former heavyweight world champion had sustained injuries and was receiving care in hospital. “Anthony Joshua was involved in a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria,” a spokesperson said. “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.” The statement added: “Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
The spokesperson continued: “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. No further comment will be made at this time.”
Nigerian road safety officials said initial findings indicated the vehicle was travelling at high speed when the driver attempted an overtake and lost control before colliding with a truck that was stationary on the carriageway. Reuters reported that police and Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps cited excessive speed and an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre as probable factors. Local reporting in Nigeria also carried statements attributing the crash to speeding and “wrongful overtaking”, describing them as common contributors to fatal collisions on the country’s roads.
Authorities said five men were in the SUV at the time of the crash, with two passengers surviving unhurt. Joshua, who was reported by some outlets to have been seated in the rear of the vehicle, was taken for assessment along with another injured person. A joint statement carried by international media quoted Lagos and Ogun state governments as saying doctors had carried out thorough evaluations and determined that those hospitalised were stable and did not require emergency medical intervention.
The identities of the two men who died, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were confirmed by Matchroom and repeated by multiple outlets. Reports described Ghami as a long-time strength and conditioning coach within Joshua’s setup, while Ayodele was described as a personal trainer who also used the name “Latz” and was known online as Healthy Mindset. Coverage in Nigeria said Ayodele had built a public-facing profile around fitness and training, and had longstanding ties to Joshua.
In the hours before news of the crash emerged, social media posts and clips circulated showing Joshua with Ayodele, including footage shared from Joshua’s account that appeared to show them playing table tennis. While the posts themselves did not reference any incident, they were cited in subsequent reporting as the last public glimpse of Joshua alongside members of his circle before the collision.
The crash drew attention at the highest political level in Nigeria. The Associated Press reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke with Joshua to offer condolences and prayers following the deaths, underlining the national resonance of the incident for a boxer with well-documented ties to the country. Joshua, who has spoken in the past about his Nigerian heritage and family connections, has been a prominent figure in Britain’s sporting landscape while retaining a strong following in Nigeria.
Ogun State authorities also issued public updates on Joshua’s condition, with Nigerian media reporting that officials said he remained stable and was receiving appropriate medical attention in Lagos. Some reports described officials as expressing confidence in the quality of care being provided by the medical team and indicating that the government had been in contact with medical staff overseeing treatment.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn offered brief public comment as the news broke, while wider figures in boxing expressed condolences. The Guardian reported an outpouring of messages following confirmation that two members of Joshua’s inner circle had died, with the focus falling on the suddenness of the tragedy and the impact on a training camp that had remained closely knit through the heavyweight’s years at the top of the sport.
The incident comes at a moment when Joshua had been returning to the public eye after his most recent bout, with reports noting he had been in Nigeria shortly after a fight in the United States. Reuters said Joshua had been expected to fight Tyson Fury in 2026, a bout long discussed as one of Britain’s biggest potential heavyweight match-ups, though no official announcement of a date had been made. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, attention has centred on his recovery and on the loss of two men described by his team as close friends.
Nigeria’s Lagos–Ibadan corridor is one of the country’s busiest and has been the site of numerous serious collisions over the years, with road safety officials repeatedly warning about speeding, dangerous overtaking and the hazards posed by broken-down or stationary heavy vehicles. In its reporting on the Joshua crash, Reuters quoted authorities emphasising that traffic violations of the kind cited in preliminary findings are among the leading causes of fatal accidents. The Federal Road Safety Corps has frequently urged motorists to slow down and avoid risky manoeuvres on major highways, particularly during holiday periods when traffic volumes increase.
Investigations into the collision were continuing, with officials seeking to establish the exact sequence of events, the circumstances around the stationary truck and the actions of the SUV’s driver in the moments leading up to impact. For Joshua, the immediate priority remained medical monitoring and privacy for the families of those who died, as requested by his camp. As tributes continued and official updates stressed that his injuries were not life-threatening, the shock of the crash was sharpened by the confirmation that two members of his team, men who had travelled and worked alongside him, were killed on a road described by officials as unforgiving when speed and judgement fail.
