Devastated Anthony Joshua said “I feel pain all over my body” after a high-speed crash in Nigeria claimed the lives of two of his closest friends.
The former world heavyweight champion miraculously survived Monday’s fatal collision, but the tragedy killed long-time team members Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Sources close to the 36-year-old British boxer — who is expected to remain in hospital into the New Year — said he was left in agony with severe pain in his knees and was heard crying out as rescuers pulled him from the wrecked Lexus 4×4. Medical tests later confirmed he had no fractures.
Doctors are keeping Joshua under observation while further assessments are carried out over the coming days.
His promoters Matchroom declined to reveal specific medical details but confirmed last night: “Anthony is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
The devastating crash occurred just ten days after AJ celebrated his knockout victory over YouTuber Jake Paul in a lucrative US bout.
However, insiders now fear the emotional trauma and grief from the tragedy could jeopardise plans for major fights next year, including a long-anticipated clash with fierce UK rival Tyson Fury.
Joshua is being supported in hospital by his mother after what medics described as a remarkable escape, while close aides Sina and Latz were tragically killed.
Although the boxer is still experiencing physical pain, those close to him say they are more worried about the psychological impact, with his future return to the ring uncertain without the two trusted figures who had been by his side throughout his rise to global stardom.
The pair died instantly on Monday morning when the Lexus SUV they were travelling in collided with a parked lorry on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
AJ and the hired local driver — seated on the opposite side of the vehicle from Sina and Latz — escaped death by inches.
Tributes poured in yesterday to Sina, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Latz, his long-time personal trainer — both aged 36.
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce described the pair as “massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine”.
He said: “They are with him all the time. 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.”
Joshua — who reportedly earned £70million from his recent knockout win over Jake Paul — had been earmarked for a £100million showdown with Tyson Fury next year, but insiders now say those plans have been paused.
Fury yesterday paid tribute to Sina and Latz, saying: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
He later shared a past interview in which Joshua spoke about coping with personal tragedy, adding: “I wish AJ a speedy recovery and would like to send my sincere condolences to the families of his friends.”
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn said: “With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz.”
“My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”
AJ — whose parents are both Nigerian — is being comforted by his mother Yeta Odusanya, who rushed to his bedside.
He is receiving intensive round-the-clock treatment at the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria’s leading private medical facility, costing £2,000 a night.
Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he had spoken to both Joshua and his mother. He said: “I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me he is receiving the best care in the hospital.”
Joshua and his friends had been on holiday in Nigeria and were due to stay for a week.
They were travelling to his family home in Sagamu for New Year celebrations when the crash occurred at around 11am on Monday.
A relative last night said the family were in “shock” after receiving news of the tragedy.
Authorities confirmed Joshua escaped with only minor injuries after the Lexus — reported to have been speeding — lost control and sideswiped a stationary truck, tearing open the passenger side.
Video footage showed the dazed boxer crying out as he was helped from the wreckage, with witnesses saying he complained of intense leg pain.
A Mitsubishi 4×4 carrying AJ’s security team was left undamaged just yards away.
Sina — who had been in AJ’s corner during the Jake Paul fight — had worked with him for more than a decade as his full-time sports rehabilitation coach, helping prepare him for landmark bouts including his 2017 world-title victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
He was a qualified musculoskeletal specialist and co-founded Evolve Gym in London.
His uncle Shahryar Rumi said he was “an angel living amongst us”, adding: “There is no one kinder, no one more generous, no one more compassionate, no one more brotherly.
“They were friends, Anthony Joshua and Sina.”
“They worked together, but they began as friends. Even on this trip. He didn’t want him to be alone, so he went with him.”
Latz, one of AJ’s oldest friends, had known him long before his rise to fame and previously played football for several English clubs before joining Team AJ.
A fundraiser set up in his honour — supporting mosque development and clean-water charities — had topped £160,000 by last night.
The organiser said: “I’m absolutely devastated hearing about the passing of my brother. I’m absolutely shocked that he died and I want to be part of the people who help keep his legacy alive.”
Police investigations into the fatal crash are continuing.
Traffic commander Babatunde Akinbiyi said initial findings showed the Lexus “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” before it “lost control”.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway — widely known as Nigeria’s “Highway of Death” — has recorded dozens of fatalities in recent months.
Investigators are examining how the vehicle veered into the parked truck — while questions are also being raised over why the lorry had been left waiting to unload its cargo beside the hazardous roadway.
