Boxing World Mourns: Fatal Crash Claims Lives Of Joshua’s Inner Circle

The Victims: Loss of a “Close-Knit” Team

Joshua’s promoter confirmed that the two fatalities were foundational members of his training camp:

• Latif Ayodele (Latz): Joshua’s long-time personal trainer.
• Sina Ghami: The 36-year-old boxer’s strength and conditioning coach.

The Rivals React

Despite years of verbal sparring, Tyson Fury was among the first to offer support. Posting on Instagram, the “Gypsy King” wrote: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.” Interestingly, just minutes before the news broke, Fury had revived retirement comeback rumors by posting a photo of himself in an “I’m back” T-shirt. However, the accident likely puts any immediate negotiations for a 2026 mega-fight on hold.

Jake Paul, whom Joshua defeated via a 6th-round KO in Miami just two weeks ago, also shared his support on X:

“Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Legendary former champion Wladimir Klitschko added:

“Having had the pleasure of engaging in an unforgettable battle with AJ, I’ve always regarded him as a true class act… My heart goes out to him.”

Conflicting Reports on the Collision

The accident occurred around 11:00 AM local time in Makun, near Joshua’s ancestral home of Sagamu.

• Official Version: The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stated the Lexus carrying Joshua was suspected of speeding during an overtaking maneuver before hitting a stationary truck.
• Eyewitness Version: A witness told AFP that the truck was not stationary when the impact occurred, suggesting a more complex set of circumstances.

Medical Status

Joshua remains in a stable condition in a Nigerian hospital for observation. While he suffered minor injuries, the psychological toll of losing two key members of his inner circle is expected to be significant.

Summary of the Tragedy