Anthony Joshua latest: Boxer’s team members named as two killed in Nigeria car crash which injured heavyweight

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr has said “thank god our heavyweight champ survived” as he paid tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

In a post on X he wrote: “Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina & their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys.”

Ten days ago, it was Joshua’s opponent who was taken to hospital.

Joshua broke Jake Paul’s jaw in two places during their fight in Miami, leaving the American on a liquid diet over Christmas, apparently.

Here’s Matchroom Boxing’s statement in full:

Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he has spoken to Anthony Joshua personally to send his condolences.

In a post on X he wrote: “I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident. I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.”

He said he had also spoken to and prayed for Mr Joshua’s mother, who was reportedly “deeply appreciative” of the call.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with them, assured me he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best attention,” he continued.

“May God strengthen the families and grant repose to the souls of the departed.”

Anthony Joshua’s friends have been confirmed as the two casualties of a car crash in Nigeria, which left the heavyweight boxer with minor injuries.

Their identities have now been revealed as Mr Joshua’s personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami.

The Independent’s combat sports editor Alex Pattle has the full report:

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has paid tribute to Mr Ayodele and Mr Ghami as “close friends to the champ”.

“Deepest condolences for the tragic loss of Sina and Abdul Latif members of team Joshua and close friends to the champ @anthonyjoshua,” he wrote in a post on X.

“Sympathy for their families and friends during this difficult times.”

The Independent’s sports editor Jack Rathborn reports:

Sina Ghami, a team member, physio and friend of Anthony Joshua, has been confirmed as one of the two people killed in the fatal car crash in Lagos, Nigeria on Monday.

Known as sina_evolve on social media, Sina has played a pivotal role in Joshua's most recent training camp and fight against Jake Paul.

He was seen working on Joshua in the last month, providing deep-tissue massaging and aiding the two-time former world heavyweight champion with deep stretching.

Sina posted an Instagram story less than five hours before news broke of the car crash, which has left Joshua "badly shaken" but with only "minor injuries".

The story included a vehicle with the location Lagos tagged.

Sina is of Persian and Iranian descent, just like Jake Paul's promoter and Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, who posed for a picture together with Joshua throughout fight week in Miami in December.

The Independent’s sports editor Jack Rathborn reports:

Latz, a team member and friend of Anthony Joshua, has been confirmed as one of the two people killed in the fatal car crash in Lagos, Nigeria on Monday.

Known as healthy_mindset on social media, Latz has been by Joshua's side over the last decade of his career.

He was seen with AJ playing table tennis in a video shared on Instagram stories just four hours before news broke of the car crash, which has left Joshua "badly shaken" but with only "minor injuries".

Badou Jack, the former cruiserweight world champion, and a friend of Latz, wrote a tribute on social media with a broken heart emoji: "Still in shock! May Allah forgive you for your shortcomings and grant you the highest level of paradise."