The boxing world has been rocked by tragedy and swirling rumors in the wake of Anthony Joshua’s recent car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Nigeria. The crash, which occurred on December 29, 2025, claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s closest associates—Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach. Joshua himself survived the ordeal with minor injuries, but the emotional toll and the subsequent wave of speculation have left fans and the sporting community searching for answers.
Joshua, the British former heavyweight champion, was in Nigeria on holiday after his much-celebrated victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. The win against Paul had marked a triumphant return to form for Joshua, who has long been regarded as one of the sport’s most compelling figures since capturing Olympic gold in London back in 2012. Yet, the euphoria was short-lived. Just ten days after that victory, celebration gave way to mourning and uncertainty.
Details of the crash have since emerged. According to reports and statements from authorities, the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his entourage slammed into a stationary truck on the expressway. In a twist of fate, Joshua had originally taken the front passenger seat but was asked by the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, to swap seats. The driver reportedly told Joshua that he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly with the boxer sitting in front, so Joshua moved to the seat behind the driver. Latif Ayodele, who was initially in the back, switched to the front seat. Minutes later, the tragic collision occurred.
“My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work,” said Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, in comments to the Daily Mail. The driver, aged 46, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s license. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the charges and noted that the case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026. In a statement posted on the police force’s official X account, authorities reiterated the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing investigation.
While Joshua was hospitalized following the crash, he was discharged on December 31 and “deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home,” according to a joint statement from Lagos state commissioner for information Gbenga Omotoso and Ogun state officials. On January 2, Joshua and his mother were seen at a funeral home in Lagos, paying their final respects to the two deceased friends as preparations were made for their repatriation. The loss of Ghami and Ayodele, both integral members of Joshua’s team and long-term friends, has left an indelible mark on the former champion.
Tributes have poured in from across the boxing world. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter since he turned professional, posted a heartfelt message highlighting the “energy and loyalty” of Ghami and Ayodele. Fellow fighters and champions, including Tony Bellew, Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Wladimir Klitschko, have also offered their condolences, underscoring the camaraderie and respect that permeate the upper echelons of the sport.
Yet, amid the grief, another narrative has taken hold on social media. A viral video, purportedly showing Joshua announcing his retirement from professional boxing in the aftermath of the accident, has racked up over 220,000 views and at least 1,200 shares on Facebook. In the clip, a distraught Joshua appears to say, “They have left this world because of me. Therefore, I have officially decided to step away from boxing. Because the moment I step into the ring, their faces appear in my mind, and that grief completely crushes me.”
However, diligent fact-checking has revealed that the video is a sophisticated fake. CableCheck and other outlets identified several irregularities in the footage, noting that it was cobbled together from various independent clips of Joshua—most notably from a press conference after his August 2022 loss to Oleksandr Usyk. An AI-generated voice-over was used to mimic Joshua’s speech, with the video further manipulated to sync his mouth movements to the doctored audio. As of January 2, 2026, Joshua has not made any public statement about the accident, his injuries, or his future in boxing.
“We can confirm this video is fake,” reported one outlet, addressing the rampant speculation about Joshua’s retirement. The boxer’s silence in the aftermath of the tragedy has only fueled rumors, but credible sources have made it clear: there has been no official announcement, and any suggestion otherwise is the product of digital manipulation.
The car crash remains under investigation, with the driver named as a suspect and formally charged. Fans and pundits alike are left to wonder about the impact this traumatic event will have on Joshua’s career. The emotional weight of losing two close friends and team members, coupled with the physical and psychological recovery required after such an ordeal, has made Joshua’s next steps uncertain.
Despite the uncertainty, the outpouring of support from the boxing community and beyond has been overwhelming. As Joshua recuperates, he is surrounded by the memories of his friends and the hopes of fans eager to see him return to the ring. The tragedy has also sparked broader conversations about road safety in Nigeria, the perils athletes face even outside their chosen arenas, and the power of misinformation in the digital age.
For now, Anthony Joshua’s future remains unwritten. The former champion is taking time to heal, both physically and emotionally, as the investigation continues and his supporters await any word from the man himself. What is certain is that the boxing world stands united in grief and in hope, waiting to see what the next chapter holds for one of its brightest stars.
