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Anthony Joshua posts emotional first video message following tragic car crash

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Anthony Joshua has spoken on camera for the first time since the accident that led to the deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

Joshua was travelling with the pair when their vehicle collided with a truck on a busy road in Nigeria on 29 December.

‘AJ’ only received minor injuries, but Sina and Latz were tragically killed, leading to an outpouring of emotion from not just the boxing community but people around the world.

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Posting on his YouTube channel, Joshua paid a heartfelt tribute to his close friends.

“So I’m here in front of a camera. Unfortunately, I’m not speaking to all of you people live. If you know my character, I’d much prefer to do that. But there’s what I want and then there’s reality. So this is the best way I could reach out to all of you far and wide, worldwide who were showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.

“The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami. We had so many plans to wrap up 2025 and we were on a mission. We went back home, went to see our families and everything just got flipped upside on its head.

“That was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our controls. Not only did I not even want to talk about myself, not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends, and myself lose two great men. We lost people that we dearly care about and have been like major players in all of our lives.”

Joshua had to fight back the tears as he continued with his tribute.

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“It’s tough. It’s really tough. I’m not going to sit here and show all of my emotions. I know in today’s day and age, it’s easy to micro analyze people and pass judgment, but I know what I feel and that’s all that matters to me. I know what my duty is.

“They’re my brothers. They’re my friends first and foremost. Then we became business partners. We became hustlers. We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything. We became housemates. We were living together.

“One day my time will come and I’m not scared either at all. It’s actually comforting knowing I got two brothers on the other side. I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right throughout this journey that I’ve been on. I was walking with giants that kept me protected, kept me shielded.”

Joshua then explained how he will continue to honour their legacy.

“The mission must go on. I understand my duty. I understand what they wanted to do for their families. So what my goal is is to continue to help them achieve their goals.

“Even though they may not be here in the physical, when I pray at night, when I pray in the morning, I know spiritually they’re going to aid me through because it’s not just physical strength that will get me through. It’s going to take a lot a lot of strength from the higher power.

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“I’m going to definitely be saying my prayers and I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families. Not only me, there’s a whole team of us, a whole brotherhood, a whole sisterhood that will be helping fulfill their legacy and fulfill their dreams. But I know in my corner of the world, I know what I’m going to be doing.

“I know I got to do what’s right for them. I’m going to do what’s right by their family. It’s about what’s important to me, and they’re very important players, very important team members, very important friends and two of my brothers.

“I don’t think I mentioned the love and appreciation. It’s all acknowledged by me, by them, by their families. 100% we acknowledged the thousands and maybe going into millions around the world that showed so much love to them both.

“We know what we’re going to do. Mom, Mama Latz, Mama Sina, Papa Latz, Papa Sina, one love. This message is not only on behalf of me. This is on behalf of their families. We appreciate you so much. Thank you for the love worldwide. Continue. Don’t let it stop. And for anyone out there that’s lost a son, a brother, one love to you. From us to you, we’re sending that love straight back.”

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Joshua understandably didn’t provide an update on his boxing future, as first and foremost he continues to take the time he needs to process the loss of his two dear friends.

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Bonfrere Questions NFF Leadership After Super Eagles Miss Back-to-Back World Cups

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Former Super Eagles head coach Johannes Bonfrere has raised concerns about the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana on the away goals rule, while their hopes for the 2026 edition ended in a penalty defeat to DR Congo. The absence from both tournaments has dealt a blow to the country’s football reputation on the global stage.

Bonfrere, who guided Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, said the situation is unacceptable and called on the football authorities to take urgent action. He stressed that preparations for future tournaments must begin immediately to avoid another disappointment.

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According to the Dutch coach, missing the 2026 World Cup is damaging not only for Nigeria but also for African football. He urged the federation to review what went wrong and ensure proper planning ahead of future competitions, starting with the next Africa Cup of Nations.

He noted that Nigeria has many talented players competing in top European leagues and warned that it would be a major setback if such a generation fails to appear at multiple World Cups.

Bonfrere also reminded stakeholders of Nigeria’s rich football history, describing the country as a leading force in Africa that should always be present on the world stage. He pointed out that Nigerian teams have traditionally brought excitement, colour, and strong fan support to global tournaments.

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Reflecting on past successes, he recalled how Nigeria attracted global attention at previous World Cups and the Olympic Games, with fans eager to watch the team play. He expressed concern that the absence of the Super Eagles is now being noticed worldwide.

The veteran coach concluded by urging the federation to put its house in order, insisting that there is still enough time to rebuild and prepare properly for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. He added that decisive action now will be key to restoring Nigeria’s place among football’s top nations.

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“YOU’RE NOT A CHAMPION” – WWE official’s message to female star

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WWE is on the Road to WrestleMania, and the company recently hosted another major premium live event. Meanwhile, NXT General Manager Robert Stone sent a message to a female star following the recent edition of NXT when demands were made on X.

Last year, Mariah May signed with the Stamford-based promotion and joined the developmental brand. May, now known as Blake Monroe, was one of the names to leave All Elite Wrestling and join WWE under the new regime. Before the end of the year, she captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship and lost it in December accidentally to Thea Hail.

After losing the title, Blake Monroe feuded with Jaida Parker and returned to the division for the title she wasn’t planned to drop in the first place. On the recent edition of WWE NXT, Monroe and The Vanity Project’s Jackson Drake defeated Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill in a mixed tag team match. The 27-year-old WWE star pinned the current NXT Women’s North American Champion for the win.

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Later, she uploaded a picture on X with a custom title and claimed in character that she’s now a two-time NXT Women’s North American Champion and demanded her side plates from the NXT General Manager. Robert Stone sent a message to Monroe and claimed she’s not a champion, stating it wasn’t a title match, which Monroe and Drake won on the show.

“YOU’RE NOT A CHAMPION,” Stone tweeted on X.

Monroe might’ve earned a title match against the champion, but the mixed tag team match was a non-title bout.


Blake Monroe lost at WWE Stand & Deliver 2026

Earlier this year, Izzi Dame won the NXT Women’s North American Championship from Thea Hail while she was in a feud with Tatum Paxley. Last year, Dame and The Culling turned on Paxley and cost her the NXT Women’s Championship against Jacy Jayne. The 29-year-old WWE star vowed to get revenge on her former on-screen family.

After Dame became the new champion, the title was inserted into her ongoing feud with Tatum Paxley. Later, Paxley won the title at NXT Vengeance Day and defended it against the former champion in a Steel Cage match and won. Later, she entered a feud with Blake Monroe, who stole the title in the weeks leading up to their match at Stand & Deliver.

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The biggest event of the developmental brand took place in Missouri, and Tatum Paxley defeated Blake Monroe in a title match. After the match, Monroe took an assist from The Vanity Project and pinned the champion in a mixed tag team match. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for both stars in the coming weeks.