A poignant and previously private video capturing a light-hearted moment between British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua and his two close friends has surfaced online, casting a sombre shadow following their tragic deaths. The footage, recorded by an unsuspecting tourist, shows Joshua, his trainer Sina Ghami, and friend Latif Ayodele at a beach, months before they were killed in a fatal road accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Tourist's Chance Encounter with Boxing Star
The video was originally filmed by a foreign lady, identified on TikTok as @excusemykarizma_. In her post, she explained that she had gone to the beach with friends on jet skis, humorously "looking for a monkey," when they came across a group of men. Unaware of their identities, she filmed them simply because they were "a group full of fine sht." It was only later she realized one of them was the world-famous heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua.
The casual, joyful clip shows Joshua and his friends in a relaxed setting, far from the glare of the boxing ring or public events. The lady can be heard complimenting the group in the background. She shared this personal memory publicly only after learning about the devastating car crash that claimed the lives of Ghami and Ayodele in early January 2026.
A Tribute to Lost Friends
In a heartfelt caption accompanying the resurfaced video, the lady expressed her shock and grief. She wrote, "Life is truly so short!... Years later I was genuinely happy to see Anthony Joshua getting praise throughout the US after his latest fight, just to almost instantly deal with such a tragic loss. They were all so kind. RIP Sima & Latz." Her post served as a touching, humanizing tribute to the men lost in the tragedy, highlighting their kindness in a fleeting, personal interaction.
The accident, which occurred on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, involved Joshua's vehicle colliding with a truck. While Joshua survived, his two friends and associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were pronounced dead at the scene. An eyewitness, Ajala Yusuf, previously recounted that Joshua was left in a state of profound shock, unable to speak immediately after realizing his friends had died.
Public Reaction to the Bittersweet Memory
The viral video has triggered an outpouring of emotional reactions from netizens, mixing nostalgia for the happy moment with grief for the sudden loss. Many comments focused on the cruel twist of fate.
One user, Jasmin, commented, "Not me seeing this after his 2 Boxing trainers, Siva and Latif sadly passed away in the car accident. Life can be so cruel." Another, Fjolla dhated, noted, "Latif was so Handsome too. To think What happened to his face…" referencing the graphic and traumatic nature of the accident scene described in earlier reports.
Others pleaded for respect and privacy for the grieving families. User Muscle-x urged, "Please man... Can everyone let it be and let brother latz and sina rest in peace inshallah... this should be laid to rest now." The resurfaced video has undoubtedly intensified the public's connection to the personal tragedy behind the headlines, reminding everyone of the fragile nature of life.
The incident continues to be a major topic of discussion within sports and entertainment circles in Nigeria and beyond, underscoring the deep bonds within Joshua's team and the profound impact of the loss on the champion boxer.
