Boxing Star Mourns ‘Brothers’

Boxing Star Mourns ‘Brothers’
British‑Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua has issued a heartfelt and emotional public statement after the death of two of his closest friends and team members, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria on December 29, 2025. Joshua himself sustained minor injuries in the accident near Lagos.
In a video message shared on social media, Joshua described the duo not merely as colleagues but as “brothers” and lifelong companions men who had shared every part of his life, from friendship to business, training and daily living. He said they had returned to Nigeria after a reunion in Miami with plans to wrap up 2025 together when tragedy struck Joshua stressed that, despite overwhelming grief, he is determined to honour what they stood for and continue the work they were committed to not for legacy, but because “it’s just doing what’s right.” He said his goal now is to help fulfil their goals for their families, even though they are no longer physically present.
Joshua explained that over the years he and his late friends had evolved from friends to business partners, lieutenants, generals and housemates a bond deeper than the typical professional relationship. He said losing them was unlike any loss he had experienced before, characterising them as his left and his right.
His statement acknowledged the outpouring of support from fans around the world, expressing confidence that their parents are “100 % proud” of their sons. Joshua also thanked first responders, medical teams at Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi, and both Nigerian and British officials for their support in the aftermath of the crash.
Joshua spoke about relying on his faith to cope with the immense grief, stating he was not afraid of death because “I’ve got two brothers on the other side.” He emphasised that moving forward will take “strength from a higher power” and that fulfilling Latz and Sina’s hopes for their families is now his personal mission.
The tragedy drew feelings of sympathy across the boxing world and global sports community, with fans, fellow fighters and promoters expressing condolences. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, also paid tribute to the deceased, describing them as “good men taken far too soon.” The crash occurred just weeks after Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami, and was followed by a period of recovery for the boxer physically and emotionally as well as increased public attention on the incident. While it’s not yet clear how the loss will affect his boxing career, Joshua has returned to training as part of his mental recovery and has emphasised that his immediate focus is on supporting the families of Latz and Sina and continuing the shared mission they cherished.