A somber mood enveloped London as British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua joined grieving families and friends to bid farewell to two of his closest confidants. The funeral prayers were held for his personal trainer, Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.
A Tragic Loss in Nigeria
The lives of the two fitness professionals were tragically cut short in a fatal road accident in Nigeria. The devastating crash occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025. Anthony Joshua was involved in the same incident but fortunately escaped with only minor injuries. Following the accident, the bodies of Ghami and Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom for burial.
London Gatherings for Final Farewells
The Janaza, or Islamic funeral prayer, commenced at 10 a.m. at the London Central Mosque located at 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG. This was the first of several gatherings to honor the departed. Later, a wake was held in memory of both men at the Cavendish Banqueting Hall in North West London.
The final rites for Sina Ghami were then conducted at the Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium, marking a heartbreaking end to the day's proceedings. The sequence of events highlighted the deep bond shared between the boxing star and his team, a bond forged in the gym and tragically severed on a Nigerian road.
A Community in Mourning
The gathering was a poignant display of grief and solidarity. Tears flowed freely as tributes poured in for the two coaches, remembered not just for their professional roles but as beloved friends. Their sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the sporting community in both the UK and Nigeria, leaving a void in the camp of one of the world's most famous athletes.
This incident also casts a spotlight on the perennial issue of road safety in Nigeria, a nation where such tragic accidents are, unfortunately, all too common. The loss of Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele is a stark reminder of life's fragility.
