Insiders are concerned by AJ’s mental scars, with a return to the ring unclear without the two pals who were always in his corner
DEVASTATED Anthony Joshua said yesterday “I feel pain all over my body” after the high-speed horror smash which killed two of his pals.
The former world heavyweight boxing champ had a miraculous escape from Monday’s death crash in Nigeria but it claimed the lives of close aides Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Sources close to the British fighter, 36, who will remain in hospital into the New Year, said he had searing pain in his knees and cried out in agony as he was taken from the wreckage of the Lexus 4×4 but tests revealed no fractures.
The star will remain in hospital while medics keep an eye on him and carry out further tests over the next few days.
Joshua’s promoters Matchroom declined to detail his injuries last night but confirmed: “Anthony is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
The crash came ten days after AJ celebrated knocking out YouTuber Jake Paul in a money-spinning bout in the US.
“Massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.
But insiders fear the grief and mental scars from the road tragedy could put potential mega-fights next year in doubt — including a long-awaited showdown with his bitter UK rival Tyson Fury.
Joshua was being comforted in hospital by his mum after miraculously escaping with his life while close aides Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele died.
AJ was said to still be in pain but insiders were more concerned by his mental scars, with a return to the ring unclear without the two pals who were always in his corner as his career skyrocketed.
The pair were killed instantly on Monday morning as the Lexus SUV they were travelling in slammed into a parked lorry on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
AJ and the local hired driver – both sitting on the opposite side of the car from Sina and Latz – cheated death by inches.
Tributes poured in yesterday to AJ’s strength and conditioning coach Sina and his personal trainer Latz, both 36.
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce described them as “massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine”.
He said: “They are with him all the time.
“He calls them his boys.
“They’re more than that.
“They are friends.
“They may have strict jobs, they might be his strength and conditioning coach, his personal trainer, his dietitian, his nutritionist, but they’re close and he loves that close circle.”
Joshua – who raked in a reported £70million from his recent KO of YouTuber Jake Paul — was being lined up to face fellow Brit Tyson Fury next year, but insiders say plans for the £100million mega-bout are now on the back burner.
Fury yesterday paid a heartfelt tribute, saying of Sina and Latz: “This is so sad.
“May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
He then shared a lengthy interview in which Joshua previously spoke about dealing with a personal tragedy.
Fury added later: “I wish AJ a speedy recovery and would like to send my sincere condolences to the families of his friends.”
Round-the-clock care
Eddie Hearn, chairman of AJ’s Matchroom promoters, said: “With the heaviest of hearts.
“Two great men.
“Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz.
“My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”
AJ – whose parents are both Nigerian – was being comforted by his mum Yeta Odusanya yesterday after she rushed to her son’s bedside.
He is being given round-the-clock care at Nigeria’s top private medical unit, the £2,000-a-night Duchess International Hospital in Lagos.
Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he had spoken to Joshua and the fighter’s mum. He went on: “I wished him well and prayed for him.
“He assured me he is receiving the best care in the hospital.”
The boxer and his pals were on holiday in the west African nation, and were expected to stay a week.
They were on their way to AJ’s family home for New Year celebrations in Sagamu when tragedy struck at 11am on Monday.
A relative last night spoke of the family’s “shock” at hearing the tragic news.
Nigerian authorities confirmed AJ escaped with minor injuries as the Lexus – said to have been speeding – went out of control and sideswiped a stationary truck, carving open its passenger side.
Video footage showed the stricken boxer crying out in agony as he was helped from the wreckage, with witnesses saying he was complaining of searing pain in his leg.
A Mitsubishi 4×4, said to have been carrying AJ’s security team, was undamaged yards away.
Sina — who was in AJ’s corner during the Paul fight in Miami — had worked with him for more than ten years as his full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach.
He helped the Watford-born boxer prepare for some of his biggest fights, including his world title-winning bout against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
The fitness guru was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialised in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise and co-founded the Evolve Gym in London.
“There is no one kinder, no one more generous, no one more compassionate, no one more brotherly.
His uncle, Shahryar Rumi said yesterday he was “an angel living amongst us”.
Speaking outside the family home in North West London, he went on: “There is no one kinder, no one more generous, no one more compassionate, no one more brotherly.
“They were friends, Anthony Joshua and Sina.
“They worked together, but they began as friends. Even on this trip. He didn’t want him to be alone, so he went with him.”
Latz was one of AJ’s oldest friends and knew him long before his superstar career.
He played football for Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood before joining Team AJ.
A fund-raiser set up to build a mosque in his honour and towards clean water projects in Africa had last night topped £160,000.
The organiser said: “I’m absolutely devastated hearing about the passing of my brother.
‘Highway of Death’
“I’m absolutely shocked that he died and I want to be part of the people who help keep his legacy alive.”
Inquiries into the cause of the fatal crash were last night continuing.
Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s traffic unit said checks showed the Lexus “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” then “lost control”.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15712796/anthony-joshua-pain-car-crash-boxing-future/
