Who were Anthony Joshua's pals Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele who were killed in car crash? - The Mirror

Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed in the crash with world-famous British boxer Anthony Joshua escaping with minor injuries

Two men killed in a horror car crash in Nigeria that injured British former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua have been named as the boxer’s strength coach and personal trainer. Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both aged 36, died on Monday after a Lexus SUV they were travelling in slammed into the back of a stationary lorry on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan highway.

A spokesperson for Joshua, who was hauled out of the wreckage with minor injuries, said: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.

“We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news. Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation. No further information will be made available at this time.”

Here’s all we know about the victims of the devastating crash.

Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele

Nicknamed ‘Healthy Mindset’ for his philosophy towards life and fitness, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele was a close pal of Joshua’s and an integral part of his close-knit training team – including for the Briton’s recent bout in Miami against American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Based out of Dubai, Latz served as Joshua’s personal trainer, working closely on the boxer’s fitness, conditioning and preparation for big fights. He has also rubbed shoulders with a string of top celebrities including Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham, with former New Zealand Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams among those to pay tribute to the trainer on social media.

Originally named Kevin Ayodele before converting to Islam in 2012, Latz played semi-professional football for Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood.

In his most recent Instagram post, Latz posted a video that included close pal Joshua with the caption: “In between your goals, remember there’s a precious thing called life that you need to enjoy.” A fundraiser to build a mosque in Latz’s memory has already raised a staggering £37,000.

Sina Ghami

The co-founder of Evolve Gym in London, Sina Ghami served as the former undisputed world heavyweight champion’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade – a timeframe that includes famous victories in the ring over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Dillian Whyte.

Having also been based in Dubai, Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator with a particular expertise in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise. His most recent Instagram post before his death shows him helping Joshua with stretches and exercises before his defeat of Paul under a fortnight ago.

As well as being a key cog in Team AJ, Ghami also worked with athletes in American football and baseball, including Le’Veon Bell from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.