Jake Paul has announced a heartfelt tribute to honor the late friends of Anthony Joshua at the Amanda Serrano vs. Danila Tellez event happening tonight. Most Valuable Promotions, Jake Paul’s promotional company, has paid tribute to Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami by displaying their names in the center of the boxing ring. Sadly, both friends lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Nigeria earlier this week, while Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped with minor injuries.
Following a contentious match with Paul, Joshua flew to Nigeria, where the fatal accident occurred. The collision took place near Makun along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun state. Ahead of the big fight in Puerto Rico on Saturday, Jake Paul and MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian have made sure to honor the memories of Ayodele and Ghami.
After confirming the tribute and promotion, Jake Paul, who sustained two jaw fractures in the fight against Joshua, responded with a simple social media post featuring praying hands. Reflecting on the recent tragedy, Paul emphasized the importance of life over boxing, expressing his prayers for the victims and all affected by the unfortunate accident.
Joshua has been discharged from the hospital and returned to the UK for his friends’ upcoming funeral. A mosque in London is scheduled to host a ceremony, including a ‘janaza prayer service’ for the departed friends, with family and friends invited to attend.
There is uncertainty surrounding Joshua’s attendance at the funeral due to concerns that his presence may draw unwanted attention. Reports indicate that Joshua narrowly avoided the fatal crash by changing seats just moments before the journey that claimed the lives of his friends. The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, with the case adjourned until January 20 for trial.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, has stated that his client pleaded not guilty, attributing the accident to brake failure. The lawyer also mentioned that Anthony Joshua initially sat in the front seat but was asked to switch due to visibility issues, ultimately leading to a tragic turn of events.