Haunting video footage has offered a glimpse into the moments before a fatal crash involving Anthony Joshua in Nigeria.
The collision that left two of the boxer’s closest teammates dead and sent the former heavyweight champion to hospital.
The incident occurred on Monday, December 29, shortly after 11 a.m., when Joshua was traveling in a Lexus SUV along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun.
The vehicle struck a stationary commercial truck, triggering a tragedy that has rocked the boxing world.
Joshua, 36, survived the crash, but his longtime personal trainer Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele and strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami were tragically killed.
Joshua’s team confirms deaths of close friends
The tragic news was confirmed later that day in a statement released on behalf of Joshua.
It read: “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 Kevin ‘Lateef’ 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.”
Ayodele and Ghami had worked with Joshua for years and were widely regarded as core figures within his inner circle.
Who were Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele?
Ghami was a co-founder of London-based Evolve Gym and a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialized in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
He had previously worked with elite athletes across the NFL and NBA.
Ayodele served as Joshua’s personal trainer and frequently shared motivational content online, where he also spoke openly about his faith.
Eyewitness describes loud ‘boom’
An eyewitness who was close to the scene said the moment of impact was unmistakable.
Ajala Yusuf Oluwaseyi told Sky News he heard a loud ‘boom’ and initially believed a truck’s tire had blown out.
Moments later, he realized a car had driven beneath a truck that was parked along the highway.
Describing the aftermath, Oluwaseyi said Joshua appeared visibly shaken by what had happened, adding that the boxer was ‘shocked with the deadliness of the incident.’
“He was shocked, he couldn’t talk,” he said.
Disturbing aftermath footage
Footage shared online in the hours following the crash shows Joshua shirtless and visibly dazed as he sits inside the wrecked SUV, surrounded by shattered glass.
In additional clips, the boxer can be seen wincing in pain as he is helped from the mangled vehicle by emergency responders.
He is later filmed seated in the front of an emergency vehicle while speaking with officials.
Images from the crash site quickly circulated on social media, underlining the horror of the impact.
The black Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his teammates was left with heavy damage.
Photos showed the vehicle wrecked, with its doors torn away and the roof crushed.
Police outline suspected cause of crash
Investigators have since provided a clearer picture of how the collision unfolded.
While early speculation focused on speed and a possible overtaking maneuver, officials now believe a mechanical failure played a decisive role.
Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) said preliminary findings show the SUV was traveling from Lagos toward Sagamu when it ‘experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed’ before it ‘lost control.’
That assessment was supported by Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo, who told ESPN: “The accident happened as a result of a burst tyre on AJ’s vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary lorry parked along the road.”
Authorities have confirmed five people were involved in the crash.
Joshua survives as investigation continues
Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was said to be in stable condition.
In a joint statement, the Ogun and Lagos state governments said the boxer ‘narrowly escaped death’ and confirmed that a ‘comprehensive investigation’ would take place.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, later issued a public message of support. Writing on X (formerly Twitter) he said: “AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.”
Fears grow for Anthony Joshua
While Joshua’s physical injuries were described as minor, reports suggest those close to him are more concerned about the emotional and psychological impact of losing two men who were ever-present throughout his rise in boxing.
Insiders have suggested the tragedy could place doubt over potential high-profile fights next year, including a long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury.
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce described Ayodele and Ghami as ‘massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.’
He said: “They are with him all the time. He calls them his boys.
“They’re more than that. They are friends. They may have strict jobs, they might be his strength and conditioning coach, his personal trainer, his dietitian, his nutritionist, but they’re close and he loves that close circle.”
Haunting videos show moments before the fatal journey
Chilling footage has emerged as clips shared on social media by Ayodele appeared to show the moments leading up to the crash.
The videos, posted to his Snapchat account Healthy Mindset, show Ayodele and Ghami approaching the Lexus before we see inside the vehicle as it drives across a bridge on the same journey that would end in tragedy.
Just hours earlier, Joshua had posted a video to Instagram showing himself and Ayodele playing table tennis, while Ghami had shared updates from Lagos shortly before the collision.
The crash came just ten days after Joshua’s knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami.
