Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr has reached out with a poignant message of faith and comfort to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, following a devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua's closest friends.
A Tragic Loss for the Heavyweight Champion
The fatal incident occurred in December 2025. A vehicle carrying Joshua's long-time confidants, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, was involved in a serious road traffic accident in Nigeria. Both men, considered pillars of Joshua's inner circle for many years, tragically lost their lives.
In an emotional conversation with Clubhouse Boxing, Jones drew from his own profound experience of loss to offer guidance. The former four-weight world champion's eldest son, DeAndre, died by suicide in 2023, a tragedy Jones has previously discussed in the context of faith and mourning.
"Leave It in God's Hands": A Message of Faith
Jones emphasised to Joshua that he should not shoulder any blame for the accident, urging him to place his trust in a higher power during an inexplicably difficult time. "You've got to leave it in God's hands," Jones advised. "I know he's Muslim, so Inshallah. As hard as it is, you've got to let God do what God does. You can't control life. We are in God's world."
He stressed that some events in life defy human understanding and warned against assuming responsibility for what is beyond our control. "Everything was out of your control," Jones stated clearly. "You couldn't have saved them. We have to learn to control the things that God lets us control. We can't take responsibility for things He has decided."
Solidarity in Grief and the Path Forward
Jones was careful to clarify that his words about faith were not meant to minimise the raw pain of loss. "I don't want people to take what I said the wrong way when I say let it go," he explained. "I just mean don't think it was his fault. He didn't do anything. He's not responsible. But of course, I am so sorry for the loss."
Reflecting on his own journey following his son DeAndre's death, Jones spoke candidly about the enduring hurt. "It's the same as me with my kid," he shared. "I didn't want to see my kid go out. And it hurts. It really hurts. But only God knows why He took him." He added that his faith has been crucial in helping him continue living despite the depth of his grief.
Jones concluded his public message with a direct note of support for the British champion: "Be strong. Raise your head up and know everyone is behind you." The tragedy has prompted a widespread outpouring of sympathy for Joshua from across the world of sport and beyond, as he mourns the loss of two irreplaceable friends.
