Anthony Joshua pays tribute to late friends on social media
Anthony Joshua made an emotional return to social media on Thursday evening, breaking his silence to express gratitude for public support following the deaths of two close friends in a tragic car accident, reports BritPanorama.
The former heavyweight champion paid tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, who were killed in a road collision near Lagos, Nigeria in December. Both men had been significant figures in Joshua’s life since childhood, with Ghami serving as his long-time strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele worked as his personal trainer.
Joshua had maintained a low profile since the tragedy, which occurred while the trio were spending time together in Nigeria following Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami. He stated, “The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami, we had so many plans to wrap up 2025. We went home, to see our families and everything flipped on its head.”
During his heartfelt tribute, he reflected on the profound loss, explaining, “We lost people that we really care about who have been major players in all of our lives.” He emphasized that he aimed to assist their families in achieving their goals, stating, “My goal is to help their families and to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be here in the physical.”
According to local reports, the vehicle carrying Joshua collided with a stationary heavy goods truck during the early morning hours on a major road outside Lagos. The news sent shockwaves through the boxing world, with both men being widely regarded as respected figures in the sport.
Ghami had spent years working alongside Joshua as his strength coach and sports rehabilitation specialist, while Ayodele had recently become his personal trainer. Their bodies were repatriated to the UK, where a joint funeral service took place at a London mosque on January 4. Members of Joshua’s family, friends, and figures from the boxing community gathered to pay their respects.
Joshua shared a poignant photograph on Instagram showing himself seated with his mother and the families of both men, captioning it, “My Brothers Keeper.” Having since resumed training, Joshua has posted footage in mid-January featuring shadowboxing, cycling, and swimming sessions, which he described as “mental strength therapy.” His promoter, Eddie Hearn, acknowledged the pain Joshua is experiencing, stating, “His love for boxing will always make him want to return to the ring. There could be a case of him wanting to fight on in their honour.”
As he navigates this difficult chapter, Joshua’s resilient spirit remains evident, highlighting both the weight of personal loss and the enduring connections fostered through shared pursuits in the ring.
