Eddie Hearn Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Anthony Joshua’s Friends

Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) recently lost two of his closest friends in a tragic road accident in Nigeria, which left him injured. Matchroom boss and Joshua’s long-term promoter, Eddie Hearn, stood by Joshua in mourning as he lamented the loss of two promising individuals.

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Taking to Instagram, Hearn shared a photograph of Joshua and his friends and expressed his condolences on their passing.

“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,” he wrote.

Sina Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, working with him for over a decade to prepare him for major fights, including world title bouts. He was also a respected sports and exercise rehabilitator and co-founder of Evolve Gym in London. Latif “Latz” Ayodele was his personal trainer and one of his closest friends. In fact, Joshua had been friends with Latz long before becoming a boxer, and many even referred to the duo as twin brothers.

On December 29, Joshua was traveling with them in a Lexus SUV on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria, when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that may have involved a tire burst and an overtaking attempt, according to authorities. Both Sina and Latz passed away on the scene.

Tony Bellew also took to X to express his condolences and wish Joshua strength as he processes this loss over time.

“There is no pain in life worse than grief,” he wrote.

Tributes Pour In

Joshua received support from former opponents and many notable names in the boxing fraternity over the last 24 hours.

In a brief but austere message, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wrote, “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk extended a shoulder of support to Joshua, asking him to not lose strength during this trying time.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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