Tag: Anthony Joshua

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Anthony Joshua’s Boxing Future Is Uncertain After Fatal Crash In Nigeria – Eddie Hearn Says

According to his promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua may consider retiring from boxing following a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

Hearn said there are no guarantees the former heavyweight champion will return to the ring as he continues to recover physically and emotionally from the December accident in Ogun State.

Recall that Joshua had travelled to Nigeria to visit family after stopping Jake Paul with a single punch in his previous bout. However, tragedy struck on 29 December 2025 when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, one of his trainers, died in the crash. Joshua survived and was taken to hospital for treatment before later returning to the United Kingdom. He subsequently attended the burial ceremonies of both men.

Speaking to First Round TV, Hearn admitted Joshua’s future in the sport remains unclear.

“I don’t think there is any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time, I expect him to because it’s something that he loves. It’s something he can carry those guys with him, though as well, and it’s something he wants to do,” Hearn said.

He added that the impact of the crash went beyond emotional trauma.

“From a boxing sense, physically, it wasn’t easy what he went through either. People probably don’t realise the extent of what he’s been through. He’s been training, but he’s not ready yet, and he won’t be for a while to return to boxing training,” the boxing promoter noted.

Hearn disclosed that Joshua had been preparing for a March fight, with a potential bout against fellow Briton Tyson Fury under consideration. Those plans have now been shelved.

“We were gearing up for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury. Obviously, that’s not going to happen now. I don’t know if it will ever happen. In the next few months, he will turn up the dial on training and see where he is at on that,” Hearn said.

Fury is scheduled to return to action in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov after more than a year out of the ring.

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Anthony Joshua Honours Friends Who Were K!lled In Ogun Accident With New Tattoos

British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has honoured two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, by tattooing their names on his body. The tribute comes months after the pair lost their lives in a car accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

The development was revealed by a London-based tattoo studio, Fulham Tattoo, which shared photos of the artwork on Instagram on Thursday.

According to the studio, the former two-time heavyweight champion visited their shop unannounced for the session, marking his first time at the facility.

“Huge thank you to two-time heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua for unexpectedly and unannounced walking through the door a few weeks ago for his first visit with us at Fulham Tattoo London … what a walk in,” the post read.

The tribute tattoos were dedicated to Ghami and Ayodele, who were both members of Joshua’s training team.

Recall that Ghami and Ayodele lost their lives in December after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck on a road near Lagos.

Joshua, who was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident, survived but sustained injuries. He was subsequently hospitalised before being discharged and returning to the United Kingdom.

The late Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was one of his trainers.

Despite the emotional toll, Joshua later attended the funerals of both men, joining family members, friends and members of the boxing community in mourning their de@ths.

Recall that the Lexus Jeep conveying the boxer and his associates rammed into a stationary truck on December 29, 2025, along the busy expressway.

The tragic incident sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria and the international boxing scene, with fans and colleagues paying glowing tributes to the deceased members of Joshua’s team.

Many described Ghami and Ayodele as dedicated professionals who played key roles in Joshua’s career, while sympathising with the boxer over the painful loss.

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Anthony Joshua’s Family Questions Trial Of Driver Over Tragic Car Crash

The driver charged in the car crash that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his friends appeared in a Nigerian court on Tuesday, as the star boxer’s uncle questioned whether a trial was “really worth it”.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was driving the former two-time heavyweight champion, Joshua, and two of his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when their Lexus SUV rammed into a stationary truck.

Kayode faces multiple charges of reckless driving, as well as a charge of driving without a licence.

Dressed in black trousers and a hoodie, Kayode appeared downcast and tried to avoid journalists’ cameras outside the courtroom in Sagamu, in the country’s southwest.

“We are very lucky that our son didn’t d!e. But taking this man to court is something we don’t see any reason for,” Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, told AFP at the boxer’s family home.

“This is my own personal opinion that the trial is not really worth it. Because we think accidents can happen anywhere in the world.”

At the same time, he added, “we sense the opinion of the people of the town” is that “this man must be prosecuted. That he was overspeeding.”

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in Ogun State, on the section of highway where the crash occurred, told AFP in the aftermath of the December 29 incident that preliminary investigations showed the vehicle was travelling at excessive speed and suffered a burst tyre before the collision.

Kayode’s court appearance on Tuesday was brief, as the judge adjourned the case until February 25 after the prosecution requested a delay.

His lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, told journalists outside the courtroom that he agreed to the adjournment “in the interest of justice.”

Nigerian police and state officials said Ayodele and Ghami d!ed at the scene, while Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.

Ghami was Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer, according to British media.

Adedamola Joshua told AFP that Kayode had been his nephew’s driver for three years and that there had never been any complaints.

His nephew, a British national of Nigerian heritage, frequently visits southwest Nigeria, where he has friends and family.

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Court Adjourns Case Against Anthony Joshua’s Driver, New Date Announced

The trial of 46-year-old Adeniyi Kayode, driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the road accident that claimed the lives of two friends of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has been adjourned to February 25, 2026.

Recall that Kayode was charged to Sagamu Magistrate Court, on the 2nd of January  with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding.

He was charged on a four count charge  which includes dangerous driving Causing Death, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap F: 135, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as applicable in Ogun State).

“Reckless and Negligent Driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the same Act. Driving Without Due Care and Attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Act and driving without a valid national driver’s license, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

The case was adjourned after the prosecuting counsel, Richard Nigiwe, informed the court that they had four witnesses, but only three were in attendance.

Richard called for the adjournment of the case to allow the prosecution counsel to duplicate the case tile to the office of the Attorney General of the state through the office of the department of public prosecution for advise and in the interest of justice.

The request was initially rejected by the counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, who expressed the readiness to forge ahead with the case.

However, giving her ruling on the request for adjournment, the court granted the application and adjourned the case to the 25th of February for further hearing.

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Court Resumes Hearing In Case Involving Anthony Joshua’s Driver

A Magistrate Court in Sagamu, Ogun State, has resumed proceedings in the case against Adeniyi Kayode, the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the de@dly road crash that k!lled two close associates of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua.

Kayode, 46, was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate Court on January 2, with Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun presiding.

He is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous driving causing de@th, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention resulting in bodily harm and property damage, as well as driving without a valid national driver’s licence.

The charges are said to be contrary to various provisions of the Federal Highway Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Ogun State.

The court had earlier granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties.

The case stems from a tragic accident that occurred on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where the Lexus SUV reportedly collided with a stationary truck.

The crash led to the de@ths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both close associates of the former world heavyweight champion.

Joshua and the driver were said to have sustained minor injuries in the incident. The boxer was later discharged from the hospital after being certified medically stable to continue his recovery at home.

Following the tragedy, Joshua, accompanied by his mother, visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay his last respects as arrangements were made to repatriate the bodies of the deceased to the United Kingdom.

Ayodele and Ghami were laid to rest after a funeral prayer held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque, followed by burial at Hendon Cemetery.

Their de@ths, particularly Ghami’s as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach and Ayodele’s as his personal trainer and confidant, drew widespread tributes from across the global boxing community.

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Oleksandr Usyk Backs Anthony Joshua To Return To The Boxing Ring After Death Of His Friends In Car Crash

Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has thrown his support behind fellow boxer Anthony Joshua, encouraging him to return to the ring following the tragic loss of friends in a car accident.

Recall that the British-Nigerian boxer was involved in a car crash that killed two of his close friends last month.

The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a black Lexus when it ploughed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.

Usyk, who fought and beat AJ in 2021 and 2022, said he has spoken to his old friend and rival since the fateful day in Nigeria and believes the Brit will not retire.

Joshua lost Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who were friends but also integral to his team, and some believed he would not want to get back in the ring again.

Usyk had a heartfelt chat with the 36-year-old and told Ready to Fight: ‘I’ve already spoken with him [Joshua].

‘I heard a desire to continue in his voice – for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him.

‘Once I spoke with the mother of my fallen comrade, and she told me: “Oleksandr, he would be very proud that you are continuing your work; he will watch you from heaven”.

‘And he, I think, does that. And not just him, but all my loved ones who passed away defending our country. They are my guardian angels who help me in the ring.’

Joshua had been linked with a huge showdown against Tyson Fury this year but those plans are now on the backburner and promoter Eddie Hearn thinks he could step away from the sport for a while.

He told Sky Sports: ‘He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, before he makes a decision on his future.

‘I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right.

‘It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon. The only conversation is, “Are you OK?”

‘And sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.’

Earlier this week, AJ posted a video of him training in Dubai and captioned it: ‘Mental strength therapy.’

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Only Anthony Joshua Can Decide When To Return To The Boxing Ring – British Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn

British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will be the sole judge of when he is ready to make his return to the boxing ring.

Joshua was involved in a car accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29, which claimed the lives of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and left the British boxer injured.

Born in Watford to Nigerian parents, Joshua was on holiday in Nigeria following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hearn said Joshua must fully recover mentally, physically and emotionally before making any decisions about his boxing future.

“He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually before he decides on his future. I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right,” Hearn said.

He added that the focus for now should be on Joshua’s wellbeing rather than his career plans.

“The only conversation is ‘are you OK?’ What happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved. When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision, and you will hear it from him. That is the only voice you should listen to in that respect,”Hearn said.

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Anthony Joshua Shares Training Footage Weeks After Friends’ Tragic Deaths In Nigeria (Video)

British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua has shared a glimpse into his journey of recovery, posting a video on Snapchat that shows him back in the gym and fully immersed in training.

The short clip captures the former world champion focusing intensely on both his physical conditioning and mental strength as he works his way back to peak form.

The update comes just weeks after Joshua attended the burial of close friends who tragically lost their lives in an accident in Nigeria, an event that deeply affected him. Since then, the boxer has largely kept a low profile, making this return-to-training post particularly significant for fans who have been concerned about his wellbeing.

In the video, Joshua appears calm but determined, signaling a renewed commitment to self-improvement and resilience despite the emotional weight of recent events.

Many fans and supporters have taken the post as a sign that the boxer is channeling his grief into focus and discipline, using training as a path toward healing and renewal.

Watch the video below…

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Thank You For Everything My Bros – Anthony Joshua Pays Tribute To His Friends Who Di£d In Accident

World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his friends who passed away while traveling with him in Nigeria.

The boxing star took to his Isntagram Stories to tag his late friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele’s Instagram accounts as he made a short post directed them.

Joshua wrote: “@HEALTHY_MINDSET X @SINA_EVOLVE

“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING MY BROS

“BOTH OF YOU REALLY HELPED ME.

“I DON’T USE SOCIALS TO VOICE MY FEELINGS BUT I WANT TO SAU I AM THANKFUL FOR THE TIME THE BROS SPENT MITH ME.” 

He added: “I just felt like saying it. If you don’t like it, try and do something about it.” 

Sina Ghami was Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Latif “Latz” Ayodele was his personal trainer and a trusted part of his inner circle.

They both di£d on January 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria while travelling with the professional boxer.

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Ex-UFC Champion, Kamaru Usman Apologises After Private FaceTime Call With Anthony Joshua Is Shared Online

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has publicly apologized after a private FaceTime call with former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was leaked online without his consent.

The clip, which appeared in a YouTube video shared by Usman on Wednesday, showed an emotional exchange between the two athletes following a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends.

The conversation took place on December 30 while Joshua was still recovering from injuries sustained in the crash and shortly before an MMA event in Lagos.

Joshua survived the accident on December 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which killed the boxer’s close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Joshua was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Duchess International Hospital, where he received treatment. In the footage, the boxer is seen lying in a treatment room with bandages around his head and torso as he opens up to Usman about the loss. He admitted that the reality of what had happened was yet to fully register.

During the recorded call, Usman asked about the seating arrangement in the black Lexus at the time of the crash.

Joshua replied, “One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet.”

“I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now,” Usman responded.

“Life is short, man. Life is short. And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time,”Joshua said.

“I know. It’s a funny way how things move, you know? We thank God,” Usman replied.

“You scared the world. It’s crazy because, obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bull**** every time, and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you,” Usman added. 

The release of the clip sparked criticism online, with many questioning why such a sensitive moment had been made public. Responding to the backlash via his Instagram story on Thursday, Usman accepted responsibility and apologised for not keeping the conversation private.

He wrote, “After seeing what’s being written, it’s quite heartbreaking. Being on camera that whole day in preparation for The AKO Show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded.

“I realised afterwards and asked about it. I take full responsibility for not properly reviewing the video that was released and for failing to keep my private conversation with my brother, AJ, private. SMH. Big L on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend or brother.”

 

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