Anthony Joshua pays tribute to friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele
Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who died in a car crash in Nigeria, saying he “found it difficult” to process their deaths.
Ghami and Ayodele, along with heavyweight boxer Joshua and another passenger, died when the vehicle they were in collided with a stationary truck on the main road near Lagos.
Joshua suffered minor injuries in the crash before flying to England and attending his funeral at a London mosque on Sunday.
”Thank you for the love and care you showed to my brothers.” Joshua posted on Instagram on Thursday, external.
“I didn’t even realize how special they were. I’ll walk with them and joke with them, not even knowing that God has me in the presence of great men.
“It’s 100% hard for me, but I know it’s even harder for their parents. I have a strong mind and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my siblings.”
Ghami was Joshua’s full-time sports and exercise rehabilitation coach and worked with him for more than 10 years.
Hours before the accident, Joshua posted a video on Instagram playing table tennis with his long-time friend, personal trainer Ayodele.
On Sunday, Joshua posted two photos on Instagram; one showed him sitting with his mother and family members of the victims, including the mothers of Ghami and Ayodele, while the other showed him holding a photo of Ghami.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged in the Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday. Police sources told the BBC the charges included causing death by dangerous driving.
The accused was granted bail of 5 million naira (£2,578) and remained in custody until bail conditions were met. The case was postponed to January 20.
Born in Watford, Joshua has family roots in Sagamu town in Ogun state, near the crash site.
A family member told the BBC the 2012 Olympic champion was visiting relatives in town for New Year’s celebrations at the time of the collision.
The boxer was spending time in Nigeria following his victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19.
On Thursday, UFC fighter Kamaru Usman apologized after footage of his private video call with Joshua at the hospital was posted online, saying he “takes full responsibility” for posting the clip on YouTube without properly checking the entire video.
