British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua is mourning the tragic loss of two of his closest friends and long-time team members, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who died in a fatal car crash in Nigeria.
Joshua had arrived in Nigeria just days earlier for a week-long holiday, following his recent high-profile win over Jake Paul in Miami.
The tragic accident happened on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and members of his team, reportedly crashed at high speed into a stationary truck. Both Ayodele and Ghami, believed to be in their mid-30s, died at the scene. 
Who Was Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele?
Latif Ayodele, also known as Kevin Ayodele before his conversion to Islam, was far more than a friend to Anthony Joshua. He was a personal trainer, fitness mentor, and trusted member of Team AJ for many years, even long before Joshua became a global boxing superstar.
Early Life and Career
Before his career in fitness, Ayodele was a semi-professional footballer. He played for several English clubs, including:
- Aylesbury United
- Tooting & Mitcham United
- Hillingdon Borough
- AFC Hayes
- Chalfont Wasps
- Northwood FC
Later in life, he converted to Islam and adopted the name Latif Ayodele, also known as Abdul Latif. Friends and followers widely knew him by his nickname “Latz.”
‘Healthy Mindset’ Philosophy
Ayodele was best known online as Healthy Mindset, a name he chose to reflect his personal belief that mental discipline and physical health go hand in hand.
He was based in Dubai, and there he trained private clients, shared fitness content online, and promoted a balanced lifestyle focused on discipline, faith, and well-being.
His first Instagram post, under the Healthy Mindset brand, featured Anthony Joshua in 2015, shortly after Joshua knocked out Charles Martin to win his first IBF heavyweight world title.
Just hours before the fatal crash, Joshua had shared a video of himself and Ayodele playing table tennis.
Role in Anthony Joshua’s Career
Latif Ayodele was an integral part of Joshua’s inner circle, working closely with the boxer on:
- Fitness and conditioning
- Training camp routines
- Mental preparation and mindset
Following his death, a fundraiser was launched to build a mosque in his memory, raising over £37,000 within hours.
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Who Was Sina ‘Evolve’ Ghami?
Sina Ghami was Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, a role he held for over 10 years. He was widely respected in elite sports circles for his expertise and character.
Professional Background
Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator, specialising in:
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Corrective exercise
- Athlete performance recovery
He was a regular presence in Joshua’s corner and was ringside in Miami during Joshua’s knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19, a blockbuster fight streamed on Netflix.
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Founder of Evolve Gym
Sina Ghami also co-founded Evolve Gym in London, a high-performance training facility focused on elite athletes.
Over his career, he worked with top sports professionals across major leagues, including:
- NBA players such as Jamal Green
- NFL athletes including Jerel Worthy and BJ Cunningham
- Athletes from Michigan State University’s football program
Friends described Ghami as a warm, generous, and deeply caring person, admired both professionally and personally.
The deaths of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami have sent shockwaves through the boxing and fitness communities. Both men were not just colleagues, but family to Anthony Joshua.
They are figures who supported him through training camps, victories, and the pressures of global fame.
May their souls rest in peace.
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