Police launch hunt for man linked to fatal crash involving Anthony Joshua

Police have launched a manhunt for the driver of the truck which Anthony Joshua’s car crashed into, leaving two men dead.

The two-time heavyweight champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV which hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday.

Joshua’s close friends and long-term members of his team, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami, were killed in the accident, while the Olympic gold medallist escaped with minor injuries.

The Daily Mail has now reported that the driver of the truck that was hit is wanted by police and is yet to be found.

The unnamed man is in his 30s and it has been confirmed that his truck was parked illegally on the hard shoulder.

A local official told the Mail: ‘He was parked on the side of the highway which is illegal, he had not broken down and he was not with the vehicle when the accident happened.’

Joshua has now been discharged from hospital ahead of his return to the UK, able to pay his ‘final respects to his two departed friends.’

A statement from the regional governments of Lagos and Ogun on Wednesday said: ‘Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home.

‘Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.

‘Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deeply appreciate the public concern and show of love and affection over this very sad and unfortunate incident.’

Who were Anthony Joshua’s friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami?

Throughout his time in boxing, Anthony Joshua has kept a close-knit circle of friends and associates around him, plenty of those working silently behind the scenes during his ascent to the summit of the sport.

Both Ghami and Ayodele were part of that group, considered good friends having worked closely with him for years.

Who is Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele?

‘Latz’ is a long-time friend of Joshua’s and has been part of the AJ team going all the way back to his maiden world title victory over Charles Martin in 2016.

Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer and a dedicated Muslim having converted to Isam in 2012.

His Instagram feed is littered with images and videos of him alongside Joshua in the gym and relaxing away from it.

Just hours before the crash, he shared a video on Instagram of him and Joshua smiling and laughing over a game of table tennis.

Latif worked with a number of other prominent sports men and women with New Zealand rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams among those paying tribute.

According to his Facebook profile, he attended St Joan of Arc Catholic School in Rickmansworth, a few miles from Joshua’s hometown of Watford.

Who is Sina Ghami?

Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, a role he held for more than a decade.

He was also the co-founder of Evolve Gym in London. Their website states Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

Ghami was at Joshua’s side throughout his career, including his crowning moment against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017.

His last Instagram story appeared to be a shot of Joshua’s motorcade through Lagos.

Joshua will now look to recover physically and mentally after the tragic incident which has thrown his boxing future into question.

According to The Sun, Joshua indicated that he had ‘pain all over my body’ following the crash, with sources adding that he had intense pain in his knees and ‘cried out in agony’ as he was taken from the wreckage.

There were fears that his reportedly minor injuries were worse than first feared, but being discharged from hospital is a good sign.

Veteran promoter Frank Warren, who works with Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury, suggested AJ may never want to step into the ring again.

‘This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of physically well but mentally is another issue,’ Warren told ITV News.

‘I don’t even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again or if he will ever fight again, that is something that only time will tell.’

Joshua’s own promoter, Eddie Hearn, paid tribute to the victims of the crash, writing on social media on Wednesday: ‘Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed.

‘Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.’

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