Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has made his first public appearance on social media following a devastating road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and team members.
The Tragic Accident on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred last Monday on the busy highway connecting Lagos and Ibadan in southwest Nigeria. Joshua, aged 36, was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck. The British boxer, who has family roots in Nigeria, was in the country on holiday after his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
Tragically, the crash proved fatal for two key members of Joshua's backroom team. Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, both died at the scene. Joshua himself sustained minor injuries in the collision.
Joshua's Recovery and Emotional Tribute
Following the accident, Anthony Joshua was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was discharged on Wednesday and subsequently flew back to the United Kingdom. His return preceded the funerals planned for his late friends and coaches.
On Sunday, the 2012 Olympic champion broke his silence by posting on Instagram. He shared two poignant images. One photo showed him sitting with his mother and three other women. In a heart-wrenching detail, one of the women was holding a photograph of the late Sina Ghami. Joshua captioned the emotional post with the words 'My Brothers Keeper'.
Legal Proceedings Following the Crash
In the aftermath of the fatal collision, Nigerian police have taken legal action. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with "dangerous driving causing death." He is scheduled to appear in court on January 20 to face these serious charges.
This tragic event has cast a shadow over the boxing world and Joshua's inner circle. The loss of Ayodele and Ghami, integral figures in his training regime, represents a profound personal and professional blow to the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion as he navigates this period of grief and recovery.
