Jake Paul has announced that a special tribute will be held in honor of the late friends of Anthony Joshua during the Amanda Serrano vs. Danila Tellez event tonight.
In a heartfelt gesture, Most Valuable Promotions, the company owned by the former YouTuber turned boxer, has chosen to feature the names of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami at the center of the boxing ring canvas. This tribute serves as a remembrance for Joshua’s friends who tragically lost their lives in a devastating car accident in Nigeria earlier this week, with Joshua narrowly escaping with minor injuries.
Following a controversial fight with Paul, Joshua made his way to Nigeria where the fatal accident occurred. The collision between the SUV carrying Joshua and his friends and a stationary truck took place near Makun on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun state.
Both Jake Paul and the CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, have ensured that the names of Ayodele and Ghami are prominently highlighted ahead of the significant boxing event scheduled for Saturday night in Puerto Rico.
After confirming the tribute and promotion on social media, the 28-year-old Paul responded with a simple message, posting a set of praying hands. This gesture follows his previous statement emphasizing the value of life over boxing, expressing his prayers for the lives lost in the accident.
Joshua has been discharged from the hospital and flown back to the United Kingdom in preparation for his friends’ funeral. A mosque in London is set to host a ceremony for family and friends, inviting them to a ‘janaza prayer service’ to honor the departed individuals.
There are uncertainties regarding Joshua’s attendance at the funeral, as concerns have been raised about the potential attention his presence may attract. Reports indicate that the 36-year-old narrowly avoided the tragic fate of his friends by swapping seats just before the journey that led to the fatal accident. The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, has stated that his client pleaded not guilty, attributing the incident to an accident and claiming that the brakes were not functioning properly. The case has been adjourned for trial until January 20.
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