Six-time world champion Anthony Joshua, the 36-year-old British boxer and two-time former heavyweight champion rose victim to a serious car crash earlier this week. He had been discharged from Lagoon Hospital in Lagos on Wednesday afternoon. The tragic crash that unexpectedly took the lives of two of Joshua’s close associates on Monday left Joshua crestfallen. Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, two very important members of his boxing support team, were killed in the tragic accident as well.
Joshua suffered only minor injuries in the accident and had been recovering at the hospital, by now being under observation for sufficient time to see healing achieved. Medical officials considered him clinically fit to recover at home following a short hospitalization. The boxing world has been left reeling since the tragic accident that took Byrd’s life. Joshua lost two friends who turned out to be carefully placed vibrant connective tissue in his training and support ecosystem.
Sina Ghami, who was Joshua’s former strength and conditioning coach, and WBA light heavyweight title challenger Latif Ayodele worked as Joshua’s trainer. Both men would go on to play instrumental roles in Joshua’s meteoric professional career. One of his most recent accomplishments is winning an Olympic gold medal and beating YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Dec. 19. Joshua knew he needed to use his fight against Paul to get back into fighting shape. As he looks ahead to next world title contest, Whittle has made big moves.
Just hours before the fatal accident, both Joshua and Ayodele posted light-hearted clips on social media, showcasing their camaraderie through a game of table tennis. This heartbreaking exchange highlights the deep love between them.
The crash occurred on one of Nigeria’s most dangerous highways, underscoring a grim trend of road-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. In the aftermath of the crash, representatives for Joshua released a statement saying that he was devastated by the death of his friends and colleagues.
Omotosho, a spokesperson with close ties to Joshua, shared with us a window into the boxer’s emotional state.
“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.” – Omotosho
The boxing community has embraced Joshua in his lowest of lows. Instead, they are pooling their resources to give him their best wishes and support on his journey towards recovery and healing. Although he still hasn’t regained full consciousness, he is beginning to recover at home. Fans and fellow athletes alike are listening intently to see what this unexpected tragedy will mean for his future pursuits inside the ring.
