By Marni Rose McFall
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif’ Ayodele, two friends of the British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, were killed in a car crash in Nigeria on Monday morning.
Joshua suffered minor injuries in the crash, which came ten days after his knockout victory over the influencer Jake Paul.
The Context
The crash occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan highway in Makun, Ogun State, approximately 12 a.m. local time, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria.
Read More on News
The report said the vehicle Joshua's was traveling in collided with a stationary truck. The FRSC wrote on X that "preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be traveling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking maneuver and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road."
...
What To Know
Ghami and Ayodele both worked with Joshua. Ghami was a strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele was a personal trainer and fitness model. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Ghami co-founded Evolve Gym in London. He was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise, according to its website. He had also worked with athletes in the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA) and Michigan State University football team.
Ghami’s most recent post was shared from Miami, where the fight between Joshua and Paul took place, and showed him and Joshua smiling next to each other with their fists raised. Ayodele shared a similar photo with Joshua shortly after the fight, with the two flexing their muscles standing in front of a pool.
build a strong brotherhood.”
Ayodele had been working with the Spot Project, a charity that helps underprivileged children in The Gambia. His work with them was aimed at helping children have better school facilities, quality education, and sports equipment.
Ayodele was a practicing Muslim. In an Instagram post from 2020 that was pinned to his profile, he wrote, “Finding Islam in 2012 has been my biggest blessing Alhamdulilah. It allowed me to meet so many good brothers Muslim and none Muslim and
Prior to the crash, Joshua shared a video of himself and Ayodele playing table tennis together.
Joshua was born in Britain to Nigerian parents and spent some of his early years in Nigeria at a boarding school. He traditionally travels to his family home in Nigeria at this time of year.
Joshua was taken to the hospital and said to be in a stable condition.
What People Are Saying
Eddie Hearn, a sports promoter, in a post on Instagram: “Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”
Joshua’s boxing promoter, Matchroom Boxing, said in a statement shared by Hearn: “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.”
Jake Paul, in a post on X: “RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif / Latz” Ayodele. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ.”
Ring Magazine, a boxing publication, in a post on X: “The Ring team send their condolences to the family and friends of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele who were killed today in the car crash that also injured Anthony Joshua. They were two of Anthony Joshua's close friends and team members, and the boxing community is deeply saddened at this loss.”
What Happens Next?
Matchroom Boxing said in their statement that they will be making no further comment and asked that people respect the privacy of those affected.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines