The two men who died in the road accident that left British boxing star Anthony Joshua injured have been identified as his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, according to a statement from the boxer’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing.

Joshua, Ghami, Ayodele and a driver were travelling in a Lexus SUV when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck in Ogun State, near Lagos, Nigeria.

In its statement, Matchroom Boxing said Joshua was taken to hospital for “checks and treatment” and remains in a stable condition under observation. The statement added that the former world heavyweight champion has been in contact with his family.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement added.

Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) said preliminary investigations indicate that the Lexus SUV was travelling along the notoriously dangerous Lagos–Ibadan highway from Lagos towards Sagamu when it “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” and subsequently “lost control”.

Mr Akinbiyi confirmed that Joshua and the driver were rescued from the wreckage and rushed to a hospital in Sagamu for medical treatment, while Ghami and Ayodele were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sina Ghami had served as Joshua’s full-time strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade, playing a key role in preparing him for some of the biggest fights of his career, including this month’s victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Ghami also co-founded the London-based gym Evolve, which has announced it would close on December 30 “as we mourn the loss of our beloved owner”.

Videos circulating on social media show onlookers assisting Joshua out of the mangled vehicle. He was seen conscious but visibly shaken, wincing in pain as he was helped to safety.

Hours before the fatal crash, Joshua had shared a video on Instagram (IG) in which he and Ayodele were seen playing table tennis. Mr Ghami had also recently posted images on social media from Lagos.

Born in Watford, United Kingdom, Joshua has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State in south-west Nigeria, close to the scene of the accident. His family was reportedly expecting him for New Year celebrations when the crash occurred.

There are ongoing plans to construct a new indoor boxing arena named after Joshua in Ogun State, where the boxer serves as a sports ambassador.

Joshua recently defeated Jake Paul on December 19. Reacting to news of the tragedy, Paul wrote on X: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.