The tragic death of boxer Anthony Joshua’s longtime trainer and close friend, Kevin “Latif” Ayodele, has triggered an extraordinary philanthropic response.
Outpuring Continues
Ayodele was killed earlier this week in a car crash in Nigeria while traveling in a Lexus SUV with another member of Joshua’s team, Sina Ghami. The vehicle struck a stationary truck on the side of the road, killing both of them at the scene. Joshua, who was also in the vehicle, survived with minor injuries, according to TMZ.
The accident on Dec. 29 sent shock waves through the boxing world and the wider community connected to the team.
Though widely recognized as Joshua’s trainer, Ayodele’s deeper legacy was built away from the spotlight. He played a part in helping Joshua defeat Jake Paul by a sixth-round knockout on Dec. 19 in Miami, Florida.
Ayodele was heavily involved in humanitarian and faith-based initiatives, particularly through his long-standing support of SPOT Project, a nonprofit focused on uplifting underprivileged youth. According to the organization, Ayodele supported SPOT from its earliest days, regularly visiting children, leading fitness sessions, and providing mentorship rooted in consistency and care.
In the hours following confirmation of his death, SPOT Project launched a fundraising campaign on Givebrite to extend Ayodele’s work rather than memorialize it. The campaign seeks to fund the construction of a mosque in his name and the installation of boreholes to provide clean drinking water in underserved African communities.
The campaign page states, “I’m absolutely shocked that he died today and I want to be part of the people who help keep his legacy alive. This is why we’ve decided that we want to build a masjid and uphold his legacy.”
The financial response was immediate and substantial. Initially launched with a lower target, the campaign quickly exceeded expectations as donations arrived from supporters across the globe.
As of the latest update, the fundraiser has reached £201,188, equivalent to approximately $270,652.18. Organizers confirmed that 100% of donations will go directly toward construction and water-access projects, reinforcing the campaign’s focus on transparency and long-term impact.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the sports and entertainment worlds, underscoring Ayodele’s reputation beyond his professional role.
Boxer Chris Eubank Jr. described Ayodele and Sina Ghami as genuinely good men, writing, “Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina & their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys.”
Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina & their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys.
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) December 29, 2025
Jake Paul also offered condolences to their families and to Joshua, tweeting, “RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif / Latz’ Ayodele. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ.”
So sad 😞 pic.twitter.com/0ym3fVrIB8
— PROSPER_XAU_EYE👁️🏑 (@prosper_xau) December 29, 2025
