The heavyweight champion has sent a motivational message to his former rival, urging him to keep going amid speculation the trauma of Monday’s crash could prevent him from entering a ring again
Oleksandr Usyk sent a heartfelt message to Anthony Joshua as the heavyweight world champion paid tribute to his former rivals’ friends. Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in a car crash in Nigeria on Monday, while Joshua is in hospital with his injuries after he was also travelling in the car.
Amid speculation the mental scars from the tragedy could end Joshua’s career, Usyk sent a motivational message to the Brit, telling him to “stay strong”. He also paid tribute to Latz and Sina, who were close pals of Joshua and integral members of his team.
The Ukrainian wrote in an Instagram story post: “This is an unbelievable loss. [Sina and Latz] were two incredible people who were not only part of AJ’s team, but also friends!”
“My sincere condolences to their families, loved ones, and everyone who knew them. Anthony Joshua – wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay strong, champion.”
Joshua is being treated at the Duchess international hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, with his loving mum Yeta Odusanya at his bedside. The former world heavyweight champ is said to be in a ‘stable’ condition – although a source said he was in ‘searing pain’.
Usyk won Joshua’s WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles from him in a unanimous points decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021, defending his titles in a rematch 11 months later.
Those defeats for Joshua put hopes of a ‘Battle of Britain’ against Tyson Fury on the backburner – however, Joshua’s recent knockout victory over Jake Paul appeared to reignite that possibility.
Fury has posted his own tribute to Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach Sina and personal trainer Latz, who were both 36. The former world champ said, “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven”, as he wished AJ “a speedy recovery”.
Sina had worked with Joshua for more than 10 years, and helped him prepare for some of his biggest bouts – including his world title-winning fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
Sina’s uncle Shahryar Rumi said more importantly, he and Joshua were great friends – which is why Sina accompanied Joshua on his trip to see family in Nigeria.
“There is no one kinder, no one more generous, no one more compassionate, no one more brotherly,” he said, quoted by The Sun.
“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’ knew Joshua before he hit the big time in boxing, and joined his team after playing football for Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood.
The personal trainer had converted to Islam, and a fund-raiser set up in his honour has so far raised more than £170,000 to build a mosque and help clean water projects in Africa.
The organiser of the fund-raiser said: “I’m absolutely shocked that he died and I want to be part of the people who help keep his legacy alive.”
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