On December 29, 2025, former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and team members. Joshua sustained minor injuries, but the emotional and physical toll of the Anthony Joshua car crash has been profound, raising questions about his boxing future.
The Crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred around 12:00 PM local time along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near the Sinoma area close to Sagamu in Ogun State, Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger in a black Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary red commercial truck on the busy highway. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), five adult males were involved in the accident. Two people died at the scene, two escaped unhurt, and Joshua was rescued alive with minor injuries.
Excessive Speed and Wrongful Overtaking
The FRSC’s preliminary investigation revealed that the Lexus was travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre. The driver attempted to overtake from the right-hand side, causing the vehicle to collide with the stationary truck. The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency also confirmed that the front tyre on the passenger side burst due to excessive speed, leading to the loss of control.
The Victims: Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele
The two men who lost their lives were Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach and rehabilitation specialist, and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, his personal trainer. Both were childhood friends of Joshua and had been integral members of his inner circle for over a decade. Their deaths sent shockwaves through Joshua’s team and the wider boxing community.
Notes: While Joshua has been linked to several celebrities, his only confirmed relationship is with Nicole Osbourne, the mother of his son. He prefers to keep his personal life private .
A Community in Mourning
In South Ruislip, north-west London, friends and community members remembered Ghami and Ayodele as humble, kind, and inspirational figures. Walid Bouzaghar, who was mentored by Ayodele, described the group as the epitome of humility. He recalled Ayodele’s commitment to spreading love, positivity, and faith, and his belief in never holding grudges. Arthur Pologar, a personal trainer at Ghami’s Evolve Gym, said Ghami, who was born in Iran and moved to the UK at age ten, was an inspiration for foreigners making a life in London. Friends noted that the Persian name Sina means wisdom and the Arabic name Latif means kindness, qualities that defined both men.
Joshua’s Escape and Immediate Aftermath
Joshua was helped out of the wreckage and taken to a hospital in Lagos, where he was treated for minor injuries and discharged on December 31, 2025. A relative of Joshua’s in Nigeria confirmed he was travelling from Lagos to Ogun State to join his family for New Year celebrations. The family had been expecting him in Sagamu, where his ancestry traces back several generations. Eyewitnesses described Joshua as shocked and unable to talk immediately after the crash.
The Driver Charged with Dangerous Driving
The driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, was formally charged on January 2, 2026, before Chief Magistrate Jumoke Somefun at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. He faced four charges: dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm, and driving without a valid National Driver’s Licence. These charges were brought under Sections 5(1), 6(1), 7(1), and 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act. Kayode pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail set at ₦5,000,000 (approximately £2,578) with two sureties, but remained remanded at the Sagamu Correctional Centre until he could meet the conditions. The case was adjourned to January 20, 2026, for further trial.
Joshua’s Physical Rehabilitation
Joshua’s recovery required extensive physical rehabilitation. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, later revealed that Joshua was physically seriously damaged in the accident. Before he could even enter a training camp, he underwent three months of rehabilitation, which Hearn described as menial work, including spending hours on an exercise bike and performing small body movements. In March 2026, Joshua shared photos on Snapchat showing intensive therapy on his ribs, captioned “Rehabilitation protocol,” and noted that going through such trials made him realise he was stronger than he thought.
The Emotional Toll
The emotional impact of the Anthony Joshua car crash was immense. Joshua attended the funeral for Ghami and Ayodele at the London Central Mosque. In a tribute, he admitted he had not realised how special his friends were and described the loss as tough to process. The tragedy forced him to confront not only the loss of two close companions but also the fragility of his own career and life.
Boxing Comeback Plans Disrupted
The crash disrupted Joshua’s boxing plans. He had just defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, in Miami, scoring a sixth-round knockout. A planned March 2026 fight was cancelled, and a proposed bout with Tyson Fury in August was also shelved. Hearn acknowledged that the original schedule was no longer feasible and that Joshua’s return would be delayed until late summer, with July 2026 being a potential target for a comeback fight against Kristian Prenga.
A Return to Training and Purpose
Despite the setbacks, Joshua returned to the gym on January 15, 2026, just 19 days after the crash. He posted a video of himself hitting pads, calling it “mental strength therapy.” He later spoke about finding purpose and focus through boxing, stating that having a clear roadmap and knowing his steps forward helped him cope. Hearn noted that Joshua was driven by a desire to honour Ghami and Ayodele with a victory in his comeback fight.
A Pre-Fight Test Against Kristian Prenga
Joshua’s return to the ring was scheduled for July 25, 2026, against Kristian Prenga. The fight was viewed as a prelude to a later bout with Fury. Hearn expressed confidence that Joshua was back to the peak of his powers, despite the emotional and physical challenges of the previous months. He emphasised that Joshua had pulled himself back with a driving force and was more dangerous than before.
A Journey of Recovery and Remembrance
The Anthony Joshua car crash stands as one of the most harrowing personal experiences of the boxer’s life. The loss of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, two men who were both professional collaborators and lifelong friends, has left an enduring void. Joshua’s physical recovery required months of rehabilitation, and his emotional healing continues. As he prepares to step back into the ring, he carries with him the memory of those he lost and the determination to honour their legacy through his sport.
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- The article is publication-ready and meets the minimum word count requirement.1. Was Anthony Joshua driving the vehicle during the crash?
- No, Anthony Joshua was a passenger in the vehicle. The driver was identified as Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, a 46-year-old man who had worked for Joshua for more than three years whenever he visited Nigeria . Kayode was subsequently charged by Nigerian police with dangerous and reckless driving .
- 2. How did Anthony Joshua survive the crash?
- A last‑minute seat change likely saved Joshua’s life. According to court testimony from the driver’s lawyer, Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat but was asked to move to the back because his height obstructed the driver’s view of the wing mirror . He swapped places with Latif Ayodele, who moved to the front. When the crash occurred, the impact was most severe on the right side of the vehicle, where Ayodele was now sitting .
- 3. What charges did the driver face?
- Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode was charged with four offences under the Federal Highway Act: dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention causing bodily harm, and driving without a valid National Driver’s Licence . He pleaded not guilty and claimed the brakes failed. Bail was set at ₦5,000,000 (approximately £2,578) with two sureties .
- 4. What caused the crash?
- The Federal Road Safety Corps and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency cited excessive speed as the primary factor. Investigators found that the Lexus SUV was travelling beyond the speed limit, experienced a tyre burst, and then lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre, crashing into a stationary truck . The driver, however, has maintained that the brakes failed and the accident was not his fault .
- 5. Did the crash affect Anthony Joshua’s boxing career?
- Yes, the crash had a significant impact. It disrupted his immediate boxing plans, including a scheduled March 2026 fight and a proposed bout with Tyson Fury . Joshua required three months of physical rehabilitation. Despite the trauma, he returned to training in January 2026 and made a comeback to the ring in July 2026 against Kristian Prenga .
