January 4, 2026 | London / Ogun State — Dalena Reporters
LONDON — A solemn funeral service was held at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, January 4, 2026, for two close friends and members of British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s inner circle who were tragically killed in a road crash in Ogun State, Nigeria late last month. The service drew a large turnout of mourners from the Nigerian and British communities, friends, family members, and well-wishers from the global boxing world.
The Janazah (Islamic funeral) prayers were offered for Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Abdul Latif Kevin “Latz” Ayodele, his personal trainer and close confidant, both of whom died on December 29, 2025, when the Lexus SUV in which they were travelling collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through the boxing community and beyond. Joshua, who was also in the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was discharged from a Lagos hospital before returning to the United Kingdom to recuperate ahead of the funeral.
At the London mosque service, mourners gathered in grief and reflection as clerics led prayers for the repose of the souls of Ghami and Ayodele, celebrated not only as dedicated professionals but also as loyal friends. Attendees described the ceremony as an emotional and dignified tribute to men who played pivotal roles behind the scenes in Joshua’s career and personal life.
Joshua, visibly composed yet grieving, stood alongside family members and received condolences from supporters, underscoring his close bond with the deceased and the profound sense of loss felt by all present. Muslim leaders recited Qur’anic verses and offered messages of patience and consolation, reminding the gathering of life’s fragility and the enduring strength of faith in times of sorrow.
The funeral arrangements followed the repatriation of the bodies to the United Kingdom and were announced by Boxing King Media, which extended condolences to the families and invited the public to join in honouring the legacies of Ghami and Ayodele.
The crash in Ogun State which has also triggered legal proceedings against the driver of the vehicle on charges including dangerous driving causing death and driving without a valid licence has renewed public conversations about road safety on Nigerian highways and the broader challenges of traffic enforcement and emergency response across the country.
As services concluded at the London Central Mosque, sympathisers slowly dispersed, unified in grief and prayer, while tributes continue to pour in from around the world for two men whose contributions extended far beyond the gym and into the hearts of many.