Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Celebrity, Health, Jake Paul, Sport, Africa, UK News, World News
Authorities in Nigeria have issued an update after boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident that also killed two members of his team.
Joshua, 36, had been on vacation in Nigeria after his highly anticipating boxing bout against Jake Paul, and was traveling as a passenger in a Lexus SUV on a major expressway when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck on December 29.
According to Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), early investigations from authorities suggested that the Lexus had 'experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed'.
The car then 'lost control' ahead of the collision, which took place in Ogun State, near Lagos in Nigeria.
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Matchroom Boxing, which promotes the British boxer, said in a statement that the accident killed two of Joshua's friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele. Both team members, who had also been passengers in the car, were pronounced dead at the scene.
In the wake of the incident, Joshua was taken to a hospital in Sagamu for 'checks and treatment'. Initially, the Governments of Ogun and Lagos said Joshua had 'narrowly escaped death', but was said early on to be in stable condition.
Today (December 30), the Governments of Ogun and Lagos released further details about the aftermath of the incident, explaining that Joshua and another passenger had been 'immediately evacuated to a specialized facility in Lagos'.
“Doctors have conducted several clinical assessments and have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency interventions at this time," the statement said.
“A comprehensive medical team has since been convened and will continue to monitor them closely. Anthony Joshua has since been relating well with his family.”
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, added of Joshua: “We are comfortable with the doctors and the quality of care at the hospital, and we appreciate the medical team for their professionalism.”
Ghami, 36, was a physiotherapist who had worked as Joshua's sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for over 10 years. He had worked with Joshua to train for his recent fight against Jake Paul.
Latz has also been a longtime member of Joshua's team, working as a personal trainer for the boxer.
Boxing expert Steve Bunce spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about the incident and described both team members as 'a massive part of the Anthony Joshua machine'.
"They've been with him, if not from the start, at least very early on. Latz is AJ's personal trainer and Sina is his strength and conditioning man. They are with him all the time," Bunce said.
"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."
