The day after the fatal road accident in Nigeria involving boxer Anthony Joshua, the circumstances of the tragedy are becoming clearer while the victims have been identified.
The circumstances of the accident
Boxer Anthony Joshua, born to British-Nigerian parents, returned to Nigeria, just a few days after his star fight against Jake Paul. The trip unfortunately turned into a nightmare. Monday, December 29, around 11 a.m., the vehicle carrying the former double world heavyweight champion collided with a truck on the highway between Lagos and Ibadan, as reported by local media Punch.
“It was a convoy of two vehicles: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was sitting behind the driver, with another person next to him. A passenger was also seated next to the driver, bringing the number of occupants in the crashed Lexus to four. Their security detail was in the vehicle following them before the accident”, explained the Ogun State Police.
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Officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps later arrived at the scene and began rescue and investigation operations. They noted the death of two passengers. According to the first elements of the investigation, “the accident was caused by excessive speed and dangerous overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with the parked truck.” The two victims, installed in the right front and right rear of the vehicle – the side which struck the truck – died instantly.
Anthony Joshua miraculously
The Briton, positioned at the left rear of the vehicle (behind the driver) emerged almost unscathed from the terrible accident. In any case physically because the boxer suffers “only minor injuries» and is currently in a “stable state”. In the general confusion after the accident, Anthony Joshua, still stunned by the shock of the impact and surrounded by several dozen passers-by, was initially taken care of by the police who then transported him to hospital where he remains under observation.
If physically the boxer is doing well, it is above all the mental condition of the champion which will be put to the test in the coming days, months and years… The two people who tragically lost their lives are part of his entourage. (see below)
Who are the victims?
The two victims of the tragedy were identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu, a 36-year-old Nigerian-British, and Gami Sina, also a 36-year-old British man. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the tragic passing of two close friends and team members“, said Anthony Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing.
Latif Ayodele, better known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. Sina Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. They have worked closely with the boxer for several years.
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Reactions from the boxing world
Messages of condolences quickly flooded social media. “Life is much more important than boxing. I pray for the victims, for AJ and for all those affected by this tragic accident», wrote Jake Paul on his X account before saluting the memory of the boxer’s loved ones: “Rest in peace, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif / Latz Ayodele”.
Anthony Joshua’s former opponent, Francis Ngannou, also had a thought for the Briton. “I wish AJ a speedy recovery and send my sincere condolences to all those who lost their lives in today’s tragedy in Lagos».
Boxer Oleksandr Usyk, undisputed heavyweight champion, was also close to the victims. “It’s an incredible loss [Sina] et [Latz] were two incredible people who were not only part of AJ’s team, but also friends! My sincere condolences to their families, loved ones and all those who knew them. Anthony Joshua, I wish you a speedy recovery. Courage, champion.»
Instagram Usyk
