ANTHONY JOSHUA faces not only a gruelling physical recovery from his horror crash – but an emotional one too.
The boxing legend lost two close pals who shared a rare bond with him on his journey to stardom – and carved their own paths along the way too.
Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos.
AJ and the driver – who were sitting on the same side – miraculously survived but he was hauled from the mangled car in front of locals who witnessed the fatal smash.
Joshua was later confirmed as “stable” and is expected to spend the next few days recovering in hospital.
But tragically, two of his closest pals, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, were pronounced dead at the scene, believed to have passed instantly.
The pair – long-time members of Joshua’s team and entourage – had travelled to Nigeria with the boxer on holiday.
Ayodele – known as Latz – had been playing table tennis with Joshua just hours before the fatal crash.
And Sina – who specialised in Joshua’s recovery in training – had captured the moment he arrived in Nigeria on social media.
The coach and Latz were in good spirits as they looked forward to the trip to Nigeria – where Joshua’s parents are from.
Only weeks beforehand, the group had been in Miami when AJ beat YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in six rounds.
The two were “integral” parts of AJ’s loyal camp.
Joshua keeps a tight-knit team, made up largely of friends he has grown up with.
It is unusual to maintain such a closely-bonded circle, without outside intruders, in such a money and fame-hungry sport as boxing.
But unlike others desperate to piggyback off their famous pal, AJ’s fallen friends both forged successful careers on their own.
Sina was a strength and conditioning coach who ran the Evolve Gym branch in London.
He was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.
Sina had the job of assisting AJ in his recovery, using massage and stretching methods.
He had been part of Joshua’s team from the moment he first won the world title in 2016.
Sina had studied at Middlesex University and later Michigan State University in America – where he covered all sports.
The coach worked with NBA star Draymond Jamal Green, NFL players Jerel Worthy and BJ Cunningham, as well as ex-Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise.
Olise – now playing for Bayern Munich in Germany – was among those to pay tribute to Sina.
He posted: “RIP BROTHER ONE OF THE REALEST MEN.”
And Latz’s relationship with Joshua dated back to well before his boxing career.
The two were childhood friends who met at the age of 11 when Latz moved from Chesham to Watford.
Latz grew up as Kevin Ayodele but changed his name to Abdul Latif after converting to Islam in 2012 at the age of 23.
He revealed it was actually Joshua who helped with his decision to become a Muslim after being encouraged to visit a mosque.
Latz said in a 2023 podcast: “He messaged me saying, ‘We’ve been going church, how about we try a mosque?’ So the rest was history.”
The Londoner was once a promising footballer, playing as a defender for the likes of Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United and Hillingdon Borough.
But he later focussed on becoming a personal trainer while launching a social media influencing career under the handle Healthy Mindset.
Latz had no coaching role in Joshua’s team but his association with the champion boxer led him to rub shoulders with the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He was a huge support guide for AJ and said: “I don’t even like to class it as like “team” or anything like that because he’s his own man, I’m my own man.
“It’s more like a subconscious thing when it comes to him helping me or me helping him.
“We’re just boys at the end of the day. I don’t put him on a pedestal to any of my friends.
“I have love for him because he’s one of my closest friends. I’ve known him since 11 years old.”
Both Latz and Sina were ever present in Joshua’s life and career, so their passing will be devastating to him.
Joshua is yet to publicly comment on the tragedy – but his promotional company have asked for privacy amid the heartbreaking period.
Matchroom Boxing said in a statement: “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.
“Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that 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. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
