By Gideon Maxwell
December 30, 2025
Jake Paul, who recently fought Anthony Joshua in Miami, joined fans around the world in mourning the deaths of two of Joshua’s closest friends and team members.
The tragic road traffic accident occurred on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria on Monday and also left the British boxer injured and hospitalised.
Sina Ghami, a strength and conditioning coach, and Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer and long time companion of Joshua, were confirmed dead after the Lexus SUV in which they were travelling collided with a stationary truck near Sagamu.
Across social media platforms fans expressed profound grief at the sudden loss, describing the two men as familiar faces who had become part of Joshua’s public journey through training clips and behind the scenes moments.
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Many tributes focused on their loyalty to Joshua and the quiet but critical roles they played in supporting his career, with fans saying the loss felt deeply personal despite never meeting them.
Some supporters reflected on how quickly celebrations can turn to sorrow, calling the incident a sobering reminder of life’s fragility.
Others used the moment to renew calls for improved road safety in Nigeria, urging authorities to address dangerous road conditions, abandoned vehicles and weak emergency response systems.
Jake Paul posted a message of condolence, noting that life is bigger than boxing and offering prayers to Joshua and the bereaved families.
As tributes continue to pour in, fans across continents are uniting in grief, remembering Ghami and Ayodele not just as members of a boxing entourage, but as friends whose lives ended far too soon.
