Anthony Joshua has honoured two close friends who lost their lives in a devastating road accident by permanently inking their names onto his arm.
The two-time heavyweight world champion visited Fulham Tattoo in London to have “LATZ” and “SINA” added beneath his existing Africa outline tattoo on his right bicep.
Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, one of his trainers, were killed when their vehicle collided with a truck on a road near Lagos in December.
The 36-year-old boxer, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was also travelling in the car and was hospitalised before returning to the UK to attend both funerals.
Speaking publicly about the tragedy for the first time in an emotional Instagram video last month, Joshua reflected on the profound loss.
“They were my brothers, my friends, first and foremost. Then we became business partners, we became hustlers, we became generals, we became everything. We became housemates, who were living together,” he said.
The boxer, who had been celebrating his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December before travelling to Lagos for the holidays, described the accident as an “unforeseen circumstance” beyond anyone’s control.
Anthony Joshua has honoured two close friends who lost their lives in a devastating road accident by permanently inking their names onto his arm
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“You know, I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people throughout this journey that I’ve been on,” he added.
“It’s like you think I’m the big guy but I was walking with giants. Protected.”
Joshua has pledged to support the families of both men, vowing to help them achieve their goals despite their physical absence.
Anthony Joshua’s new tattoo
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“My goal is to help their families and to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be here in the physical,” he vowed.
“I will be saying my prayers, and I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families.”
The boxer also acknowledged the overwhelming response from supporters worldwide, noting that messages had potentially reached into the millions.
“We heard you all, we saw the messages, the tweets, the social media, the YouTubes, the prayers, it’s all been acknowledged,” Joshua said, before addressing the parents directly: “Mumma Latz, Mumma Sina, Pappa Latz, Pappa Sina, one love.”
Questions remain over whether Joshua will step back into the ring professionally following the tragedy.
Latif Ayodele (right) and Sina Ghami (centre-left) had all travelled to Nigeria with Anthony Joshua | INSTAGRAM/HEALTHY_MINDSET
His promoter Eddie Hearn indicated last month that a return to competition is far from certain, telling IFL: “I do not know when or even if he will go back into camp.”
Hearn explained that while Joshua’s injuries from the crash will not cause long-term damage, they require time to heal properly before any training camp could begin.
Despite sharing footage of himself working out, Hearn clarified this was not preparation for a comeback.
“He is training for his own mind. And he is training for himself to recover and repair. I just cannot believe his strength and resilience,” the promoter said.
