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Wednesday, 31 December 2025
ASTON MARTIN AMR26 ROARS: HONDA'S 2026 POWER PLAY BEGINS
Aston Martin lights up 2026: AMR26 fires up as Honda era begins to hum
There’s a new sound in Silverstone — and it’s not a V6 on a dyno. Aston Martin pressed the starter on its 2026 challenger, the AMR26, before the winter shutdown, with Honda engineers on hand as the team’s works power-unit partnership clicks from paperwork to petrol.
The team shared a short clip from inside its factory as the first fire-up ran clean, a familiar ritual of sensor checks, fuel pressure numbers and nervous glances finally giving way to applause. Fire-ups don’t win races, but they’re the line in the sand every programme wants before Christmas: chassis and power unit talking to each other, systems awake, timelines on track.
This one mattered more than most. It’s the first publicly shared fire-up of a 2026 Formula 1 car, a neat marker as the grid barrels toward the biggest tech shake-up in years. Aston Martin’s exclusive deal with Honda begins next season, the Japanese manufacturer returning as a full works supplier with an all-new hybrid unit designed around the incoming regulations. Honda recently teased its own 2026 power unit in a separate post-season video; now we’ve heard the engine and the car sing together for the first time in green.
The AMR26 will break cover on 8 February, with the team weighing up a camouflage or plain testing livery for the opening five-day pre-season run in Barcelona, scheduled to be held behind closed doors from 26 January. That timing’s tight, and it makes this early systems check all the more valuable.
If you’ve followed Aston Martin’s trajectory over the last few seasons, the picture’s clear: significant hiring, new facilities, and now a factory power unit deal designed to lock in performance and control. Fernando Alonso, who has seen a few “next eras” in his time, sounded quietly bullish about the reset that 2026 brings.
“I’m optimistic, because it’s a reset of things. You know, everyone has the chance to do a better job than the others,” Alonso said in Abu Dhabi as the 2025 season wound down. “We start from scratch… We have our new facilities completed now, we have our own wind tunnel. We have Honda as engine supplier – and only for us. Aramco, Adrian Newey… so we have some good things to be optimistic about, but this is a very competitive sport, and everyone is doing a very good job. So we’ll see.”
What his comments get at is the difference between a quick car and a complete project. The campus at Silverstone is online, the wind tunnel is theirs, and Honda’s unit is being developed with Aston Martin’s packaging and aero philosophy in mind from day one. In a rules reset, those margins become multipliers.
And yet, caution is built into the tone coming out of the team. 2026’s slimmer, lighter cars and the revised power unit formula — with more electrical deployment and new energy management demands — mean concepts will diverge early. “A lot of things will happen in the first three or four months of the year,” Alonso added. “When you discover the cars and which direction and philosophy everyone took, you learn a lot in the first two or three races… I think we have the right people and the right facilities and environment to have a good season. So it’s up to us.”
Between now and launch, the job list is the same one every technical group knows by heart: correlation, cooling, wiring looms, weight, aero surfaces, and the hundreds of “small” decisions that decide whether a platform is forgiving or fussy. But getting a new engine architecture to behave inside a fresh chassis on the first press of the starter is an underrated win. It confirms that the architecture — fuel, oil, hydraulics, hybrid systems, electronics — is integrating as designed. It also frees the team to chase performance rather than firefight reliability gremlins when the clock starts ticking in January.
The significance of “first to make noise” shouldn’t be overstated; rivals will be running their own integration tests in quiet workshops up and down Europe. But in a sport that feeds on momentum and message discipline, Aston Martin choosing to show the milestone is a statement of intent. The last time the regulations flipped, one team nailed it and feasted for three seasons. The rest took numbers and went back to work.
This time, Aston Martin wants to be the one setting the pace — and the soundtrack suggests they’re at least in rhythm. The answers arrive soon enough: Barcelona’s hush-hush mileage, a February launch, and then the opening rounds when concepts stop being CAD models and start being lap times. For now, the AMR26 breathes. That’s step one.
- Alex Albuquerque
AFCON 2025: CAMEROON, IVORY COAST SHARE THRILLING DRAW; AUBAMEYANG'S GABON KNOCKED OUT
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| Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring a goal for Ivory Coast against Cameroon at AFCON. Getty Images |
Amad's thunderous strike and Ghislain Konan's own goal ensured Africa Cup of Nations title holders Ivory Coast and troubled Cameroon shared the points in a 1-1 draw in Marrakesh on Sunday that leaves both on course for the Last 16.
Amad, who had struck the winner in Ivory Coast's opener against Mozambique, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when he gathered possession on the right flank, cut inside, and curled a powerful effort beyond Devis Epassy.
However, the title holders' lead was short-lived, with Junior Tchamadeu forcing the equaliser three minutes later when the Ivorians failed to clear their lines, and the Stoke City man's shot deflected off Konan and looped over Yahia Fofana into the net.
With Kylian Mbappe, Samuel Eto'o, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde among those watching on, Cameroon had the first major chance of the half, with Christian Kofane slapping an effort against the bar after being picked out by Tchamadeu's cutback.
Cameroon's ascendency was short-lived, however, with Amad becoming increasingly influential -- first setting up Vakoun Bayo, who headed over from close range in the 41st minute, before winning a corner after an effort was blocked by the Cameroon defenders.
Soon after the break, the Elephants had the ball in the net, with Franck Kessie meeting Bayo's knockdown with an acrobatic finish, only for the referee to determine the midfield general had been in an offside position.
As the game became increasingly frenetic, Cameroon struck next, Danny Namaso hitting a deflected effort which rattled the Ivorian bar, before Amad's decisive intervention to give the title holders the lead.
They were unable to settle before the Indomitable Lions were level, Tchamadeu collecting the ball in the box and watching on as his deflected effort fell in over the stranded Fofana.
Cameroon enjoyed the better of the late exchanges, and although Emerse Fae turned to Wilfried Zaha to give Ivory Coast an extra attacking dimension, neither team could alter the result in their favour.
The result also condemns Gabon to an early elimination after they were defeated 3-2 by Mozambique in Agadir in Group F's earlier kickoff, with the Mambas ending their 39-year wait for a victory at the Nations Cup.
First-half goals from Faisal Bangal and Geny Catamo gave Mozambique a commanding lead, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - playing despite ongoing fitness concerns - halved the deficit in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Soon after the break, Diogo Calila restored Mozambique's two-goal cushion, and while substitute Alex Moucketou-Moussounda gave the Panthers hope with a 76th-minute finish from point-bank range, they were unable to get the equaliser their superiority arguably deserved.
After two games, Gabon are already out of the running on zero points, while Mozambique are in third on three, with Ivory Coast and Cameroon on four apiece and with identical records. Ivory Coast will be looking to advance as group winners when they face Gabon in their third group game in Marrakesh on December 31, while Mozambique and Cameroon clash in Agadir.
Earlier, Algeria secured their progression to the Last 16 as Group E winners following a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
"Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game - a 23rd-minute penalty after Rayan Ait Nouri was fouled by Ismahila Ouedraogo - to send the Fennecs through with six points from their opening two matches.
Sudan, who had been defeated by Algeria in their opener, responded with a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea following Saul Coco's 74th-minute own goal.
Algeria will now meet the runner-up from Group D - Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Benin - in Rabat on January 6, with the winner of this match potentially set to meet Nigeria in a quarterfinal in Marrakesh on January 10.
The 2019 champions conclude their Group E campaign against Equatorial Guinea on New Year's Eve, while Sudan face Bu"
- Ed Dove
EMI MARTINEZ IN FURIOUS ARSENAL TUNNEL INCIDENT AS ASTON VILLA STAFF FORCED TO STEP IN
Emiliano Martinez was held back after a heated tunnel incident following Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa as the goalkeeper responded to taunts from home fans
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| Martinez is ushered down the tunnel after being goaded by Arsenal fans(Image: @jaikes12/X) |
Emiliano Martinez had to be restrained as he became involved in a heated tunnel confrontation following Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates.
It turned out to be a frustrating evening for Martinez on his sixth return to Arsenal, having spent a decade at the club before departing to join Villa in September 2020. The Argentina international shipped four goals in 30 devastating second-half minutes as the Gunners demolished Villa to send a statement in this season's Premier League title race.
Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock in the 48th minute before Martin Zubimendi doubled the advantage shortly afterwards. Leandro Trossard then extended the lead to three before Gabriel Jesus put the finishing touches on the scoreline to net Arsenal's fourth. Ollie Watkins managed to grab a consolation for Unai Emery's Villa in added time but it proved far too little too late. As Arsenal rampaged through the second half, Martinez appeared increasingly agitated.
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| Emiliano Martinez endured an evening to forget as he shipped four goals to Arsenal(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images) |
His temper certainly wouldn't have been soothed when "you're just a s*** David Raya" rang out from the Arsenal supporters in his direction.
While Martinez seemed to maintain his composure on the field, his emotions got the better of him as he made his way down the tunnel after a clash with the home crowd.
"You're rattled! F*** off, f*** off, f*** off! He's so rattled. Wakey wakey!' an Arsenal supporter could be heard shouting at Martinez. Martinez, clearly incensed, was seen retaliating to the Arsenal fans' taunts and had to be escorted down the tunnel before things could escalate further.
During his decade-long stint at Arsenal, Martinez made 38 first-team appearances, with 23 of those in his final full season in north London. When Bernd Leno was sidelined due to injury, the Argentine stepped up, helping the Gunners clinch the FA Cup in August 2020 with some key saves in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the final.
However, just a few weeks later, Martinez was sold as he sought more regular playtime, which Villa provided under Dean Smith's management. The former Reading and Wolves loanee has since spent over five years in the West Midlands, playing in more than 200 matches across all competitions.
Internationally, Martinez played a pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup triumph in December 2022. He won the tournament's Golden Glove award after maintaining three clean sheets throughout the Qatar competition and has been named FIFA's Best Men's goalkeeper twice.
Next on the agenda for Villa and Martinez is a home match against struggling Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
As for Arsenal, they're off to Bournemouth in an attempt to widen their lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently five points ahead of second-place Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
- Kieran King
DEPLETED MANCHESTER UNITED 'LACK QUALITY', SAYS RUBEN AMORIM
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his side "lacked quality" to break down a Wolves team without a Premier League win all season in the latest blow to their chances of Champions League football next season.
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| Wolves snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.© AFP |
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his side "lacked quality" to break down a Wolves team without a Premier League win all season in the latest blow to their chances of Champions League football next season. Wolves secured just their third point of the campaign and snapped a 12-game losing streak as Ladislav Krejci's header cancelled out Joshua Zirkzee's deflected opener in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. United were missing captain Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo through injury, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
"We have a lack of fluidity and then lack of quality and then lack of creation of chances, and then we suffer a goal from a set-piece," said Amorim.
"These details are important to win these games in difficult moments."
United remain two points outside the top four in sixth.
But they could have been well on course for a return to European football's top table next season had they not failed to win four of their last five home games.
Amorim, though, remains confident his side will end the season strongly once they have their key players back fit and available.
"I think we are in one situation that you have a lot of players out in the same time.
"Of course when you play Casemiro and (Manuel) Ugarte in the middle, you know that is different to when you have Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount or Bruno, that is normal. We just need to recover our players, the players from AFCON to return and then the fluidity is going to be different.
"I'm really confident when we recover all the players that we are going to be a strong team, there is no doubt in my mind."
- Agence-France Presse
MANCHESTER UNITED LEGEND WAYNE ROONEY ON DAVID RAYA SAVE AGAINST BRIGHTON
Wayne Rooney on David Raya's save against Brighton: “It's moments like that which win you league titles. And David Raya has many of those moments throughout the season.”
SEBEGAL TOP AFCON GROUP AHEAD OF DR CONGO AS TANZANIA MAKE HISTORY
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| Tanzania defender Dickson Job celebrates after his country reached the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages for the first time © AFP |
Senegal advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 as winners of their group on Tuesday, leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo facing a heavyweight tie against Algeria while Tanzania reached the knockout stage for the first time.
Sadio Mane’s Senegal, African champions in 2022, defeated Benin 3-0 in Tangier to top Group D on goal difference ahead of the Leopards, who won by the same margin against Botswana in Rabat.
Abdoulaye Seck and Habib Diallo scored either side of half-time for the Lions of Teranga before skipper Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off. Cherif Ndiaye converted a penalty deep in injury time.
Ex-Chelsea playmaker Gael Kakuta, now based in Turkey, was in outstanding form with two goals and an assist as DR Congo saw off already-eliminated Botswana.
His backheel set up Nathanael Mbuku for the opener at Al Medina Stadium in Morocco’s capital, and Kakuta then converted a penalty late in the first half.
Kakuta got his second and his team’s third on the hour mark and the Leopards then had a fourth goal scored by Fiston Mayele ruled out by VAR for a handball.
It looked at one point as though Senegal and DR Congo might end the group stage with identical records, leaving open the possibility of a drawing of lots to decide their final positions.
In the end both finish with seven points from three games with Senegal on top by a difference of just two goals.
Pape Thiaw’s team now have a kinder draw as they remain in Tangier for a last-16 tie on Saturday against the third-place finisher in Group E, either Burkina Faso or Sudan.
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| The Democratic Republic of Congo beat Botswana 3-0 in Rabat but finished second to Senegal in Group D © AFP |
The Leopards, in contrast, must play 2019 champions Algeria next Tuesday with the winner of that potentially having to face Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
“We wanted a fourth goal to maybe force a drawing of lots, and we wanted to score as many goals as possible to try to win the group,” said Sebastien Desabre, the Democratic Republic of Congo coach.
“It wasn’t to be but I’m not disappointed, I’m proud. We have achieved the objective of reaching the last 16.”
Benin’s three points are enough for them to go through as one of the best third-placed teams.
It will be just their second appearance in the AFCON knockout stages, with their reward a tie against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on Monday.
- Nigeria stay perfect -
Tanzania made history in progressing from their group for the first time, 45 years after their maiden AFCON appearance, by drawing 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.
Ismael Gharbi converted a penalty just before half-time for Tunisia and Feisal Salum levelled early in the second half.
Tanzania have still to win in 12 matches spanning four AFCON appearances. They squeezed into the round of 16 after two draws and one loss.
Tunisia finished second in Group C with four points, five behind table-toppers Nigeria. Tanzania pipped Angola on goals scored for one of four places reserved for third-placed teams.
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| Nigeria number 18 Raphael Onyedika celebrates with Victor Osimhen and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru after scoring in the Super Eagles’ win over Uganda © AFP |
Raphael Onyedika scored twice as already qualified Nigeria overcame 10-man Uganda 3-1 in the other Group C match to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage.
Paul Onuachu had given Nigeria the lead in the first half in Fes and Uganda suffered a huge blow on 56 minutes when goalkeeper Salim Magoola -- on as a substitute -- was red-carded for handling outside the area.
Onyedika then scored his two goals before Rogers Mato got a consolation for Uganda as they head home.
Tanzania now face a daunting task against hosts and title favourites Morocco in Rabat on Sunday, one day after Tunisia tackle Mali.
Nigeria will meet the third-placed team in Group F -- currently Mozambique -- on Monday in Fes.
“We did not have enough time to prepare the team, but worked together with the federation,” said Argentina-born Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi, appointed only last month.
“I feel very proud, not just for myself, but for the country. To qualify is great for Tanzania.
“I hope this success will be a reminder to these players and the next generation of players of the potential of Tanzanian football.”
- AFP
Tuesday, 30 December 2025
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS JAKE PAUL SCORECARDS RELEASED 11 DAYS AFTER FLIGHT
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| Jake Paul fights Anthony Joshua (Image: Getty Images) |
The official scorecards from Anthony Joshua's sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul have been released.
Anthony Joshua was leading on all scorecards prior to his sixth-round knockout triumph over Jake Paul earlier this month. The British boxer made a comeback to the ring for the first time since his heart-wrenching knockout loss to compatriot Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was seen as an opportunity for Joshua to gain some vital ring time ahead of a significant 2026. In what was largely a lacklustre heavyweight showdown, the fight sparked into action in the fifth round when Joshua floored his opponent twice.
Despite hearing the bell, Paul couldn't withstand Joshua's powerful right hand that landed minutes later, resulting in a broken jaw in two places.
Following the match, Paul drove himself to the hospital and had to consume his Christmas dinner through a straw after undergoing surgery for his fractured jaw. On Monday, the Florida Athletic Commission revealed the official scores to MMA Fighting.
The three judges scoring the fight were David Sutherland, Steve Weisfeld and Michael Tate.
All three judges awarded every round to Joshua, including a 10-7 round in the fifth after Joshua had floored his opponent multiple times. The sixth also showed a 10-7 round, but it had no impact on the fight after the former two-time unified heavyweight world champion ended the bout with a potent right hand in the same round.
Despite a stunning knockout in the sixth round and returning to the winner's circle, the 36-year-old was not satisfied with his performance in Miami. "I needed to do better, It's a win, but it's not a success. I feel my coach expects more from me, and I expect more from myself. But what can we do? I can't live off of that win," he said.
"So, yeah, I'm not happy. I had boxing on my back today, and that is what it was really. I took Jake as serious as I needed to, but most importantly, I take myself as serious as I need to. You have to be prepared. One slip-up could cost you in that ring."
Paul has been indefinitely suspended following the first stoppage defeat of his career. This means he will require medical clearance to fight again in the state.
The 28-year-old is expected to take a break from the ring before potentially returning to competitive action next summer.
In the lead-up to the fight night, rumours circulated that Tyson Fury was reportedly gearing up for his comeback for a much-anticipated face-off with 'AJ. ' Both fighters are expected to headline during "a Riyadh Season mega-event" in 2026.
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| Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Jake Paul after their heavyweight bout (Image: Getty Images) |
Prior to this eagerly awaited showdown, both pugilists will participate in respective tune-up fights.
However, some are questioning whether Joshua can continue his boxing career after being involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria on Monday. Two men, identified as Kevin Ayodele and Sina Ghami, tragically lost their lives, while Joshua was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The news broke on Monday that the British boxer had been involved in a car crash with four others on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria revealed in their initial findings that the incident involved a black Lexus Jeep, in which Joshua was a passenger, colliding with a stationary red commercial Sinotruck.
They confirmed that five adult males were involved in the collision.
Ayodele, who worked as Joshua's personal trainer, was also known to be the boxer's closest friend. Ghami, on the other hand, served as AJ's strength and conditioning coach.
A shaken Joshua, whose parents are both Nigerian, was in the backseat of a Lexus that crashed into a stationary truck. Images released by Nigerian authorities showed the mangled vehicle - with Joshua in pain amidst broken glass.
Emergency workers swiftly arrived at the scene near a petrol station on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway shortly after 11am on Monday morning in Makun.
Tributes have been pouring in for the two men who tragically lost their lives. Flowers and a lit candle are among the tokens of remembrance left outside Evolve Gym in Colindale, north west London, owned by Ghami, who sadly died in the crash.
Agash Satkunarajah, 26, from Harrow, who knew Sina, spent several minutes reflecting on the tributes. He said: "It's quite devastating to see that they went for a holiday and never came home. For AJ I just don't know where this takes him. I think mentally he's going to be broken. AJ used to come here and prepare for his fights. He was a close friend of Sina's.
"Sina was his very good friend, but he was also his strength and conditioning coach so I think it will be very difficult for him to continue when two of the most important people in your boxing career have passed away sadly."
- James Evans
ANTHONY JOSHUA CRASH: WHAT CAR HE WAS TRAVELLING IN AND CAUSE REVEALED
Two-time heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal crash on Monday 29 December that left him injured and tragically killed two of his friends and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have now detail what they've found in the preliminary investigation in relation to the cause of the crash.
Just days after he defeated Jake Paul in Miami, Joshua was enjoying some downtime in Nigeria – a country he is mightily proud of given his heritage – when he and his close pals Sinha Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, crashed.
After being rescued by witnesses from the wreckage of the vehicle, Joshua has been taken to a local Nigerian hospital to recover and get the treatment he needs. The families of the British boxer's associates, Ghami and Ayodele, who were killed in the crash, have been notified.
Full Statement From Federal Road Safety Corps After Joshua Crash
Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps took to X (formerly Twitter) to provide a detailed explanation into the incident that took the lives of Ayodele and Ghami. "Preliminary reports from the Ogun Sector Command indicate that the crash occurred at about 1200HRS and was promptly reported to the Corps," they wrote before going over their swift response to the call.
"FRSC operatives arrived at the scene within three (3) minutes of notification, enabling swift rescue operations, evacuation of victims, effective traffic control, and prevention of secondary crashes.
"Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries," the statement continued, before the vehicle was identified as a black Lexus Jeep, which crashed into a stationary red commercial Sinotruck.
"The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) was duly notified for further investigation and necessary documentation."
Initial findings from local authorities have revealed that Joshua's Lexus Jeep was travelling over the 'legally prescribed' speed limit on the road, which links Lagos to northern, southern and eastern parts of the country. The vehicle then lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road. The statement concluded:
"The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways."
Elsewhere, as reported by the BBC, Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) said early investigations showed the Lexus "experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed" when travelling along the highway from Lagos to Sagamu when it "lost control".
Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul Voice Support for Joshua
Following the news of Joshua being involved in a car crash in Nigera, Matchroom Boxing figurehead and the 36-year-old's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has come out to offer support to his client and long-term friend, who is eyeing a fight with fellow heavyweight Tyson Fury.
"Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment," he wrote before adding: "He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.
"Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected - and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. No further comment will be made at this time."
Paul, Joshua's latest opponent inside the ring, also voiced his support. He wrote: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident." He later added: "RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif / Latz” Ayodele. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ."
- Daniel Hepburn
ANTHONY JOSHUA LOST HIS CLOSE FRIENDS IN THE HORRIFIC ACCIDENT IN OGUN STATE
Anthony Joshua’s close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, have been named as the two victims in the horror car crash involving the British heavyweight boxer in Nigeria
Ayodele and Ghami, both believed to be in their mid-30s, died after a Lexus SUV crashed into a stationary truck at a high speed on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan highway.
A statement from an official spokesperson for Anthony Joshua said: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.”
Monday, 29 December 2025
ANTHONY JOSHUA INJURED IN CAR CRASH, TWO PEOPLE DEAD
Anthony Joshua, the two-time world heavyweight champion, has been injured in a car crash that killed two people.
The Lexus Jeep, which was carrying Joshua, collided with a stationary truck along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibidan expressway in Makun, Ogun State, Punch newspaper reported.
The story also included the Jeep’s registration number as well as a photograph of Joshua, sitting in the back seat surrounded by broken glass.
The 36-year-old, whose parents are Nigerian, is said to have sustained minor injuries while two others 'died on the spot.' The investigation to determine the cause of the crash is currently ongoing.
An eyewitness, named as Adeniyi Orojo, who was also described as ‘part of the rescue mission’ described the full horror of the collision.
Orojo told Punch: “It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.
"There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.
"Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived. The passenger beside the driver and Joshua died on the spot."
Joshua is on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. The London 2012 Olympic gold medalist stopped former Youtuber Paul in the sixth of their eight-round contest at Kaseya Center.
He had been scheduled to return to the ring in either February or March with a summer showdown with the currently retired Tyson Fury still part of his plans.
- DECLAN TAYLOR
TONY TUCKER | FORMER IBF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Former IBF heavyweight champion Tony Tucker was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1958.
Tucker deserves to be remembered among the heavyweight division’s best – thanks, largely, to just two performances in 1987.
The first was his IBF title-winning effort against James "Buster" Douglas – who was in inspired form that night, as any rewatch will confirm. The second was his gallant 12-round points loss to Mike Tyson – the only time a peak, motivated and fully focused Tyson came remotely close to defeat.
“Close” may be overstating it, but the hefty left uppercut that wobbled Tyson in the opening round, and the persistent problems Tucker posed throughout, were certainly unfamiliar territory for the young champion. X-rays later revealed Tucker had fractured his right hand in four places – a brutal detail that only adds to the myth of what might have been.
Had Tucker not slipped into a haze of depression and drug abuse in the aftermath, he might have gone even further. He returned at the end of 1989, a shade slower and heavier, and notched wins over Mike Evans, Orlin Norris and Oliver McCall en route to a shot at newly crowned WBC champion Lennox Lewis.
Again, Tucker was a handful. His ring IQ and veteran savvy no doubt offered a valuable lesson for Lewis, but after 12 rounds, the result was clear.
A 1995 attempt at the vacant WBA title ended in defeat to Bruce Seldon, and Tucker’s decline was laid bare two years later in Norwich, where Herbie Hide thrashed an undeserving version of the former champion in a bout for the then lightly regarded WBO belt.
Incredibly the 21-year-old Tucker was supposed to be on a flight to Poland that crashed on March 14, 1980. All 87 people on board were killed, including 22 members of the U.S. boxing team. Tucker didn't go because of a shoulder injury.
#boxing #boxinghistory #boxingnewsandhistory #tonytucker #tnt
MIKAELA SHIFFRIN WINS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE WORLD CUP SLALOM RACE
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| Dec 6, 2025; Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CANADA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States during the PwC Tremblant alpine skiing World Cup at Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images |
Mikaela Shiffrin put together a sparkling second run on Sunday to win her sixth consecutive World Cup slalom race.
Shiffrin conquered the choppy course in Semmering, Austria, in 53.58 seconds for a total time of 1:48.82. She edged Camille Rast of Switzerland by 0.09 seconds.
Shiffrin has won all five slalom races to start the 2025-26 season and also captured the final race of last season in March at Sun Valley, Idaho. The win on Sunday extended her record World Cup victories to 106.
The 30-year-old stood in fourth place at the end of the first run.
"Today was hard," she said. "And you can see the skiing from these women; it was really hard today. Tough conditions. ... I did my best, best possible run."
Shiffrin finished sixth in the giant slalom on Saturday.
She has found her winning form just weeks from the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where the women's Alpine skiing competition starts Feb. 8.
After being tabbed to ski in every eligible event in Beijing in the 2022 Games, she finished out of the medals. She has said that in these Olympics, she will focus on her best events, with slalom definitely one of them.
Before the Olympics, there are three more World Cup starts, beginning next week in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
--Field Level Media
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