The funeral of two close associates of boxing star Anthony Joshua is to be held in London on Sunday, following their deaths in a car accident in Nigeria.
Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele died when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on 29 December.
Mr Joshua was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash but escaped with what have been described as minor injuries.
London service
The bodies of both men were repatriated to the UK this week. The Janaza (Islamic funeral prayer) is scheduled to take place at 10:00 GMT at the London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones,” read a statement shared by Boxing King Media.
The service is expected to be attended by figures from across the boxing community, where both men were well-known and highly respected:
- Sina Ghami served as Mr Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach.
- Latif “Latz” Ayodele was a personal trainer and long-time member of the former world champion’s inner circle.
The fatal collision
The accident occurred in the Makun area of Ogun State, south-west Nigeria. Local reports at the time suggested the Lexus SUV carrying the group struck a parked heavy-goods vehicle.
While the two trainers died at the scene, the 36-year-old heavyweight boxer was treated for minor injuries and has since returned to the UK.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the start of the year for the British sporting icon, who has frequently visited Nigeria to engage with his heritage and support local charitable causes.
Friends and colleagues have spent the last week paying tribute to Ghami and Ayodele on social media, describing them as “dedicated professionals” and “pillars of support” during Mr Joshua’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division.
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