By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
The boxing world and fans globally mourns the death of Anthony Joshua friends. The tragedy that occurs on Monday, December 29, 2025 when Anthony Joshua who had just returned to Nigeria after his sixth-round knockout victory from a win of 29 out of 33 over Jake Paul on Dec. 19, 2025 and was linked with major future fight: potential matchup with Tyson Fury was involved in a serious road crash on Monday in the Makun area of Ogun State, which claimed the lives of his two friends, affirmed by the Ogun State Police Command.
The crash occurred around 11:00 a.m. along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his team hit a stationary truck, the SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck.
Joshua was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries was rescued and rushed to the hospital where the survivors were receiving medical attention.
Videos from the scene showed the 35-year-old former heavyweight champion being rescued from the wreckage, appearing to have sustained injuries.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Command, later attributed the accident to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking.
Speaking on Channels Television, The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the Ogun State Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Afolabi Oyewole, said the driver was travelling at high speed before attempting an illegal overtaking manoeuvre, that the collision occurred on the right-hand side of the vehicle when he wrongfully overtook and crashed into a stationary vehicle parked on the extreme shoulder of the road,” Oyewole said.
Oyewole confirmed that Anthony Joshua and the driver survived the crash and were immediately evacuated by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to the boxer and taken to an undisclosed hospital.
The two casualties are Joshua’s close associates Latif “Latz” Ayodele personal trainer and longtime friend, Sina Ghami strength and conditioning coach, part of Joshua’s core team for over a decade died at the scene
Joshua survived with few minor injuries and was taken to an undisclosed hospital within Nigeria.
The truck driver who fled the scene is being sought by the police.
According to the joint statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Ogun State Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade he was medically and clinically cleared to recover at home shortly after Anthony Joshua was discharged from the hospital.
Joshua’s driver and logistics team member, Kayode Adeniyi, was also discharged from the hospital and may face charges for reckless driving.
Joshua being heavy-hearted and aggrieved due to the loss of his friends with his mother visited a funeral home of his friends in Lagos to pay respects to his fallen friends before their bodies were prepared for repatriation.
“The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again commiserate with the families of the two young men, Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami, who tragically lost their lives in the road accident said “We pray that the Almighty grants the repose of their souls and gives their families and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss.”
The statement also noted that Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appreciated the outpouring of public concern and sympathy following the incident.
The two state governments further expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support, as well as to the doctors and medical personnel of Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, who attended to Joshua and others injured in the crash.
The National Leaders, fellow boxers, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and fans have publicly offered condolences and support.
The crash has reignited concerns over road safety in Nigeria, especially on major highways like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, known for frequent fatal accidents.
