Hearn

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn says the “great qualities” of Anthony Joshua’s friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria, will be “deeply missed”.

Ghami and Ayodele died when the vehicle they were in, alongside heavyweight boxer Joshua and another passenger, collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos.

Joshua sustained injuries but is stable and conscious and did not require emergency medical help, according to Ogun state government, external.

Hearn, who has promoted the 36-year-old since he turned professional after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, has paid tribute to the Briton’s close friends and team members.

“Rest in peace Latz and Sina,” Hearn posted on Instagram, external.

“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.”

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, the Ogun State police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said “Investigations are still ongoing” and described the process as “still discreet”.

Jake and his team are hoping for a lot of things. Hoping AJ is underestimating him, hoping AJ is shot, hoping AJ’s inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ is low in confidence, hoping AJ’s chin isn’t what it once was.

But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He’s had a camp and he’s training like he’s fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds with a devastating knockout.

He could hit Jake to the body and he would break his ribs and he wouldn’t be able to get up.

If he hits him clean, he will knock him spark out. Or the referee could jump in.

We don’t know how it could play out but with the way AJ punches – with the speed and destruction – as soon as Jake is hit on the chin, the fight is over.

Then we go back to AJ’s two goals he wants to achieve in the time he has left in this sport – to fight Fury and to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Eddie Hearn was speaking to BBC Sport’s Kal Sajad.