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What Coco Gauff once said made Serena Williams the greatest tennis player of all time

Coco Gauff is on track to enjoy a legendary career, and is widely considered one of the biggest names in tennis.

After all, she is a fine ambassador for the sport and a top talent, having already won two Grand Slam titles at the age of just 21.

However, with this promising start to her career, already the comparisons to Serena Williams have come. It really took no time at all.

READ: Coco Gauff admits to constantly ‘stealing’ from her mother

And yet, despite that immeasurable pressure to emulate arguably the greatest female tennis player of all time, Coco Gauff has responded to such claims with grace and intelligence.

Coco Gauff explains why Serena Williams is the GOAT

Speaking back in 2022 to the National Bank Open, Gauff was keen to reemphasise her point about Williams being the greatest.

This is not a controversial opinion, but it is interesting to see how it is justified, given that it can be argued.

The young American offered a rather staunch defence though, noting: “What makes her the GOAT is her personality and all that she’s done off the court to fight for equality, to fight for young players like me and continue to lead in the way that she does and I think that’s what we really should be focused on.

“That’s just Serena. I don’t think there will be anyone who can do what she did, with all the adversity that she had to face, I don’t think there will be another player that will do that.”

“She’s the GOAT. And undisputed too. In my opinion. But I don’t think that’s an opinion, it’s a fact.

“Serena for me is the GOAT. The GOAT of all GOATs. There will never be another Serena.”

What has Serena Williams said about Coco Gauff in the past?

Serena has also expressed her pride in Gauff’s career thus far too, outlining the immense mutual respect shared between these superstars.

In fact, whenever asked about the youngster, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is always keen to sing her praises.

Even after she beat Venus Williams, her sister, in her famous breakthrough run at Wimbledon in 2019, Serena admitted: “She’s just impressive all around, from her personality to the way she plays. I think it’s just all super impressive.

“I was nowhere near her level at 15 either on the court or off the court, not even close. I know kids are growing up different nowadays, so I’m not sure. But I was nowhere near as smart and eloquent as she is. It’s nice to see.”

Gauff has been praised for doing one thing better than any player since Serena, almost validating the comparisons. It remains to be seen how this will play out over the next decade or two.

BOXING

Oleksandr Usyk’s Six-Year Plan for Deontay Wilder Showdown

Speaking to WBN, Sergey Lapin, Usyk’s Team Director, confirmed the long-term strategy behind the matchup when asked if Wilder’s WBC legacy played a factor in the champion’s choice of opponent.

Usyk’s Vision, Six Years in the Making
“Yes, the WBC factor certainly plays a role. Oleksandr had the idea of boxing Wilder in the USA as far back as 2020. Unfortunately, at that time, the circumstances didn’t come together,” Lapin told World Boxing News.

He continued: Not everything depended on us, and the level of organizational readiness wasn’t there to deliver the fight the way it deserved.

JUST IN: “He’s next”: Gervonta Davis sets his sights on one former champion for comeback fight

“Now the situation is different, both in terms of scale and possibilities.”

This insight from Lapin highlights that Usyk’s approach is intentional and history-focused.

The Ukrainian champion is not reacting to current opportunities; he has actively targeted Wilder as a high-stakes challenge that aligns with his ambitions in the heavyweight division.

Why the Wilder Fight Matters
Legacy: As a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk seeks only the toughest challenges. Wilder’s five-year WBC reign, ten defenses, and devastating knockout power make him the ideal test.

Historical Significance: A voluntary defense against Wilder in the USA continues a tradition of monumental heavyweight matchups, attracting global attention to both fighters.

Strategic Planning: Unlike opportunistic or reactive matchups, Usyk’s vision for this fight has been in motion for six years, demonstrating a deliberate, long-term strategy rarely seen in modern boxing.

Current Status and Timing
Negotiations are progressing, and Wilder has indicated willingness to engage in the clash. All signals point toward a spring 2026 showdown on American soil.

While the exact venue and date remain under wraps, this exclusive confirms the fight is the result of years of planning rather than a spontaneous call-out.

For fans and analysts tracking the heavyweight division, Lapin’s confirmation adds clarity: Usyk vs Wilder is a career-defining moment for both athletes.

The matchup is not only a test of skill and power but a legacy-driven event with global significance.

Every decision, from location to timing, is designed to preserve the sporting logic and maximize the historical impact of the bout.

This is the most definitive confirmation yet that Usyk has his eyes on a monumental challenge, and the Wilder fight represents the next chapter in modern heavyweight history.

BOXING

“He’s next”: Gervonta Davis sets his sights on one former champion for comeback fight

Gervonta Davis appears to have made up his mind on his boxing return.

It was a difficult period for ‘Tank’ in 2025, with the year beginning with a controversial majority decision draw to Lamont Roach in his WBA lightweight title defence in March.

The main talking point from the fight came when Davis voluntarily took a knee and retreated to his corner claiming he had grease in his eyes, with many onlookers claiming that should have led to a knockdown being scored, and Terence Crawford even thinking he should have been disqualified.

JUST IN: The Jake Paul Curse: What’s Happened to His Opponents After Fig

An immediate rematch was then expected to take place, but instead ‘Tank’ opted for an exhibition bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, which was scheduled for November.

It never went ahead after Davis was named in a civil lawsuit regarding domestic allegations, and after the Baltimore man had previously stated that he had plans to retire at the end of the year, it appeared that his time in a boxing ring may have been up.

Davis seems to have now made a U-turn on those comments though, after revealing he is targeting one man in particular for his return.

Taking to social media after Isaac Cruz and Roach recently fought to a majority decision draw, ‘Tank’ said he wants to take on Cruz.

“I’m taking him next, soon as my knee gets better.”

Davis previously fought Cruz back in December 2021, claiming a unanimous decision victory. Cruz is a former WBA super-lightweight champion, and currently holds the WBC interim crown at 140lbs, which he retained with that draw against Roach in December.

BOXING

The Jake Paul Curse: What’s Happened to His Opponents After Fig

Jake Paul Curse: What’s Happened to His Opponents After Fighting Him is Strange

Anthony Joshua’s involvement in a tragic car crash in Nigeria on Monday, that killed two members of his team, has continued the strange trend that those who take to the ring against Jake Paul have something bad happen to them after the fight, and in one case, even before.

Out of the 13 people the American has laced the gloves up against, eight of them have suffered some sort of misfortune since fighting him.

READ: Anthony Joshua pays ‘final respects to departed friends’ after leaving hospital

The bad hands include three near-death experiences, falling out of the public eye entirely, a personal life falling apart, a declaration of bankruptcy, and a deportation.

Nate Robinson

The former basketball player, who became an NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2013, was Paul’s second professional opponent, facing him in November 2020. He didn’t put up much resistance, however, as he was knocked out cold in the second round.

Since the defeat, Robinson has fallen off the face of the earth when it comes to the public eye, as nobody has heard from him in any form. Maybe he chose to keep a low profile to avoid the backlash following the knockout.

Ben Askren

In the lead-up to Ben Askren’s fight with Jake Paul in April 2021, there was a lot expected of the former, based off him being an ex-UFC fighter. However, he didn’t see the second round and was stopped in 119 seconds in what was quite embarrassing given it was just Paul’s third professional bout.

If the loss wasn’t enough for him to deal with, it had clearly taken more out of him than what was apparent on the surface, as four years later, Askren then had lung failure in mid-2025 and nearly died, only surviving after a vital transplant.

Tyron Woodley

The former UFC welterweight champion faced The Problem Child twice and lost both times, the second of which was a flush knockout in the sixth round. The reason why he took the two fights may be explained by the fact that it’s reported that following the two defeats, Woodley declared bankruptcy.

Again, this may give reason as to why Woodley stepped into the boxing ring on the undercard of Paul vs Joshua, against Anderson Silva, which he also lost, leaving his professional boxing record at 0-3.

Tommy Fury

Fury did please many by stopping the Paul hype train by split decision in Saudi Arabia, but it was the start of his boxing career beginning to fall apart. He has only fought once since his victory over Olajide Olatunji, better known as KSI, in October 2023, that coming against Kenan Hanjalic in a unanimous decision win in May 2025. Outside his fading career in the squared circle, he has often been seen taking part in fitness challenges, like triathlons and marathons.

What also seemed to fall apart was his personal life, as his relationship with Molly-Mae Hauge took a hiatus in 2024. Though back together now, Molly-Mae has been reluctant to put the ring back on and tie the knot.

Ryan Bourland

Bourland was 17-2 at the time he took on Paul in March 2024, so people felt he would provide a stern challenge. That wasn’t the case at all.

Instead, like Askren, Bourland didn’t survive the first three minutes, and was dispatched in the first round. The loss was clearly too much for him as he has since quit the sport, having not fought since he lost to Paul and has now taken a routine job as a plumber.

Mike Tyson

Paul’s so-called “fight” with a 58-year-old Mike Tyson was controversial enough. However, it got worse when it was learned that before the fight in Arlington, Tyson was in hospital for a number of weeks due to losing half his blood because of a bleeding ulcer that required eight blood transfusions.

Maybe his age played a factor in why that happened. Perhaps the hospitalisation explained Tyson’s lacklustre performance in the unanimous decision loss in November 2024.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

The former middleweight world champion, and son of the iconic Julio Cesar Chavez Snr, barely put on a display in his June 2025 unanimous defeat to the American, further disgracing the name that his father had worked so hard to put on the map.

It then got worse for the Mexican, as soon after the fight, he was deported back to his home country. It’s become seemingly apparent as to why he didn’t want to be south of the border, as he has had an active arrest warrant there since 2023 for his involvement in being a henchman for a drug cartel.

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua gave Paul his second professional loss, but the latter made him work for it in a bigger ring than what is standard in professional boxing. He survived the former two-time unified heavyweight champion for six rounds before having his jaw broken by a right hand.

The injuries Paul suffered could keep him out of the ring for at least nine months, but it now seems Joshua will also not be seeing any action for a while. On the last Monday of 2025, he was involved in a car crash in Nigeria that killed two members of his team, who were close friends, with AJ suffering some injuries as well. So now not only does he need to recover mentally after the death of his friends, he has to deal with the physical damage the crash caused.

If Jake Paul does decide to keep fighting, those that will be standing in the opposite corner should be on high alert and hope the world doesn’t have a bad hand to throw at them as well.

⚠️THE JAKE PAUL CURSE

What’s happened to Jake Paul’s opponents is genuinely strange.

He’s fought around 13 people, and a concerning number of them experienced serious issues afterward.

– Mike Tyson nearly died before the fight. He required eight blood transfusions, lost… pic.twitter.com/Aey62KiJEr

— Mr. Nobody (@MmisterNobody) December 30, 2025

CELEB NEWS

The 1 part of Tiger Woods’ legacy we’re waiting to understand

Few days ago, Tiger Woods turned 50 years old, adding fuel to one of the silliest debates going:

Will he ever play on the Champions Tour?

The conversation — both on social media and published by reputable journalists — is unsurprisingly carried on by those who would benefit, financially or otherwise, from Woods saying yes (present company included!) Woods has, for his part, treated the decision with jokey responses, which tells you just how seriously he’s taking it.

The truth is, Woods’ legacy will be mostly unmoved by any semblance of a career on the Champions Tour. Of course we want to see it, but if he wins a few tournaments driving around in a golf cart, would you be surprised? Recall how much it meant when Phil Mickelson walked out on the 50-and-over circuit and won without issue: very little! Which is why I’d like us to pivot our gaze to something that could actually add to Woods’ legacy in his next decade:

Captaining a Ryder Cup team.

READ: Why Tiger Woods’ son Charlie made ‘I’m broke’ claim as his true ne

One plainly obvious reason why this is worth more oxygen than plausible starts on the senior tour is that Woods has treated the idea of the Ryder Cup captaincy so … weirdly.

Two summers ago — when Woods missed the cut in three straight 2024 majors — it was obvious his playing skills and body had deteriorated. It coincided with Seth Waugh, then the head of the PGA of America, making it quite clear that the ball was in Woods’ court if he wanted the American captaincy job for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Usually that position is decided about 18 months ahead of the competition, but there we were, about four months late of schedule, with no American leader decreed. As I understand it, Woods sat on the offer for months and months, unsure if he’d be able to give it the proper amount of focus amid his various duties reshaping the PGA Tour.

You know the story by now: Keegan Bradley was gifted the position in a shocking move (which played out in a mostly-American-whooping at Bethpage). One week after the news broke of Bradley’s appointment, Woods was at Royal Troon for the Open — the last time he’s played in competition — explaining during his press conference that he just didn’t have the time that a captaincy required. But then, a few minutes later, I raised my hand with a simple question, and received a very weird answer.

I know you just ran us through not having enough time to be a Ryder Cup captain, I began. Would you embrace the idea of being a vice captain if Keegan were to ask?

His response was four words long:

“He hasn’t asked me.”

When Woods gave his annual press conference earlier this month at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, he was asked if the 2027 captaincy — for the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, in Ireland — was a position he was interested in pursuing. This time, he gave six words.

“No one’s asked me about it.”

I’m asking you about it, the reporter said in return.

“No one’s asked me about it,” Woods repeated.

We’ll allow him the benefit of the doubt again, knowing that Woods saying yes would cast aside plenty of work already done by the PGA of America. And if he said no, again, it would just open up room for everyone to ask WHY?

Given his dismissiveness — and repetitiveness of needing to be asked first — it feels worthy of a conversation, especially now that Woods turns into the decade when most captaincies take place. Just how much is he up to the task?

Recent history has shown us the most cohesive, successful Ryder Cup captaincies have come with leaders who are present on the PGA Tour schedule, who demonstrate an ability to connect intimately with their teams, and who have put in the time as assistant captains in recent Cups. Woods has been in contact with players during the last few Ryder Cups, but always from a remote position in southern Florida. He has not been on-site at a Ryder Cup since the Americans were dragged in France in 2018, the final matches of his 13-21-3 career record as a player.

Personality-wise, Woods is about as polar-opposite as the outgoing American captain, Bradley, who lined up to do as much promotional marketing for the event as he was asked … and then some. Bradley opened his home to Netflix cameras during the 2023 Cup, did photo shoots for both GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest, made various trips to Bethpage and answered endless questions about his approach to the captaincy. Is all of that really going to happen for Woods — a man whose golf these days mostly happens in simulator appearances for Jupiter Links GC?

We lob these questions into the ether only to help golf fans consider the position — and Woods’ decision — holistically. It would be absurd if he didn’t captain a Ryder Cup team in the next 10 years. But it feels extremely unlikely that Woods captains the American team in 2027, a decision that has probably already been made by the PGA of America.

There is the 2029 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Hazeltine in Minnesota. Woods was an assistant captain under Davis Love there, when the Americans earned a much-needed victory in 2016. That feels plausible — and would allow Woods to correct the record at the site of one of his most famous defeats: the 2009 PGA. But the timing also coincides directly with the college golf career of his son, Charlie Woods, who graduates high school in the spring of 2027. One can easily imagine the elder Woods traveling to his son’s various tournaments and even coaching Charlie through portions of his collegiate career. Add that to his major championship schedule and he’ll be plenty busy.

One can only hope that Woods’ time commitments as a multiple-board chairman for the PGA Tour would relax by 2028. If so, the next Cup would be in 2029 when Woods is 54 years old. But that one will be played abroad, in Barcelona. It would be a tasty, global affair, if Woods would accept the position at that point. It’s complicated — for reasons we won’t delve into here — but would the prospect of facing a Sergio Garcia-led team in his home country entice Woods … or dissuade him? Perhaps we’re getting too far ahead there. On a more simple level, would the requisite international travel and appearance commitments fit Woods’ desires at that point? All of these things are part of the captaincy equation.

So is PGA of America leadership. It is understood that Woods was closer with Waugh than he is with current PGA of America executives, but that can certainly change. It just hasn’t been a great run of form lately from the American half of Ryder Cup — the latest squabble revolving around something as predictable as Bethpage course setup.

We can push forward as far as we’d like, but it seems the most logical place for Woods to take the Ryder Cup captaincy will be in 2033, when it is held at Olympic Club in San Francisco. The course sits on the side of a hill and requires all kinds of shot shapes, seemingly perfect for the analytical, ball-striking mind of Woods. It will take place in California, the state where Woods grew up, and just up the coast from where he hosts a tournament every February.

There is plenty to like about that 2033 Cup for Woods. Except that the further down the line we go, the older everyone gets. Xander Schauffele will be 39 the week of the 2033 Ryder Cup. Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas will be 40. At least part of that Cup will be decided by a generation of golfers who aren’t even professionals yet — a reminder that the captaincy part of Woods’ legacy isn’t totally up to him. And for it to feel positively additive to the career of one of the greatest golfers ever, that captaincy kind of has to end in a victory, doesn’t it?

BOXING

Deontay Wilder’s Case Against Usyk Is One Punch And Little Else

Deontay Wilder knows what Oleksandr Usyk brings.

A fighter who strips time and space down to seconds, who punishes anything loose. Wilder’s felt that level before. The hesitation, the fatigue, the cost of being half a beat behind. He still thinks one punch can change everything.

That right hand is his argument for belonging. It’s all he’s got left that scares anyone in the top five. Usyk’s transition through the division barely slowed. He had a couple of entry fights: Chazz Witherspoon, Derek Chisora and then went straight through the main men.

JUST IN: Deontay Wilder reveals key ‘recipe’ for beating Oleksandr Usyk as super-fight closes in

Joshua twice. Fury twice. Stopped Dubois. The work’s been clean, clinical, and complete. Wilder’s run went the other way. The Fury losses exposed real gaps, discipline, balance, reaction speed. Since then, he’s looked heavy and slower to reset.

The right hand still cracks, but everything before it looks like waiting. He talks about being patient and staying relaxed, but that’s another way of saying he doesn’t have many tools left. Even he seems to know he’s not winning rounds against Usyk.

Usyk Has The Leverage, Wilder Brings The Danger

Usyk’s team says talks are live. U.S. dates are being looked at, Vegas and Los Angeles both mentioned. Spring feels likely. They want a return with value, not a layup. Wilder, for his part, calls it steady progress, code for waiting on the financials. He’s the B side now. That’s just reality.

The fight only works on one axis: danger versus control. Usyk chips away at punchers until they stop taking chances. He pressures with movement, not volume, and breaks them by timing.

Wilder has to gamble early, before the rhythm locks him out completely. If he waits, it’s just punishment and fatigue from round three on. And if it goes wrong, it won’t just be another loss. It’s the last one that matters. Another clean defeat turns him into a checkpoint — the name younger heavyweights mention to justify their own raise. That’s the real danger now.

BOXING

Deontay Wilder reveals key ‘recipe’ for beating Oleksandr Usyk as super-fight closes in

Deontay Wilder knows just how good Oleksandr Usyk is – but he still believes that he has boxing’s greatest equalizer.

Since moving up from cruiserweight just before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Usyk has had a legendary run of victories. He took on two lesser tests in Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, before immediately heading to the big names in his new division.

He now boasts double victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. With his career coming to a close soon, he now has his eyes on the final great of this heavyweight era in Wilder next year.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua pays ‘final respects to departed friends’ after leaving hospital

Deontay Wilder reveals key factor for beating Oleksandr Usyk

Despite the fact that boxing maths would dictate Deontay Wilder lost to Fury and as such would lose to Oleksandr Usyk, it doesn’t always work that way. The Ukrainian is technically perhaps the greatest fighter in the world, while the American has always been known for having a limited arsenal.

However, there is no denying that Wilder’s right hand is still one of the most feared weapons in all of boxing. And he intends to make that the key ‘recipe’ as he prepares to take on Usyk in a fight that appears to be moving ever closer.

“I would think that would be the main recipe of it,” Wilder admitted in an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow earlier this month at the IBA World Championships in Dubai. “I’m not going to give away too much on this interview because people are looking and I don’t want nothing to be heard.

“They might send something back and try to correct certain things, but I will keep it basic. I do have the speed and the height and the athleticism which are three things that give me an advantage.”

Oleksandr Usyk’s team offer positive Deontay Wilder fight update

After years of fighting in Riyadh and the UK as part of Riyadh Season under Turki Alalshikh, it seems that Oleksandr Usyk is finally coming back to America. He is reportedly in talks with a US-based outfit to stage what would be his first non-Saudi backed show since 2023.

Providing an update on the potential clash, Usyk’s manager Egis Kimas told The National: “It’s very likely (we will see Usyk vs Wilder). Because right now we’re working on it, and we’re working on some multi-fight agreement for Oleksandr.

“As soon as we’re going to confirm that, we’re going to jump in. And some talks are already going on with the team of Wilder. We’re looking at Las Vegas or Los Angeles, and the dates are the end of April, beginning of May.”

For his part when we spoke to Wilder three weeks ago, he said: “You’re dealing with my team in America and his team wherever they’re based at. Sometimes if they’re doing email and stuff like that it takes a little while.

“Negotiations take time because he wants something and I want something so we’ve got to meet in the middle and see what’s going on. He is the champion and I have to be a bit more lenient on certain things because of the opportunity.

“I’m very grateful for that and I have no problem with it, so negotiations are going very well and in the end we will see what happens.”

BOXING

Anthony Joshua pays ‘final respects to departed friends’ after leaving hospital

Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital following the devastating car crash in Nigeria that left two of his close friends dead.

The two-time heavyweight champion was travelling in a Lexus SUV on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday when it hit a stationary vehicle.

Joshua escaped with ‘minor’ injuries but close friends and long-time members of his team Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami were killed instantly.

JUST IN: The Five Words Anthony Joshua Immediately Cried Out After Car Crash That Kille

Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya rushed to her son’s bedside following the tragedy with the pair paying their respects to his ‘departed friends’ at a funeral home on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their repatriation to the UK.

A statement from the regional governments of Lagos and Ogun said: ‘Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home.

‘Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.

‘Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deeply appreciate the public concern and show of love and affection over this very sad and unfortunate incident.’

The post also thanked the team of doctors and medical staff at the Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi ‘that attended to Anthony and those that sustained injuries.’

Ayodele was a long-time friend of Joshua’s, serving as his personal trainer.

Ghami worked as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, another who has been part of ‘AJ’s team for several years.

‘Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed,’ Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn wrote on Wednesday.

‘Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.’

BOXING

The Five Words Anthony Joshua Immediately Cried Out After Car Crash That Kille

The Five Words Anthony Joshua Immediately Cried Out After Car Crash That Killed Two of His Friends

British former two-time heavyweight world champion boxer Anthony Joshua continues his recovery in a Nigerian hospital following a horror crash that killed two people close to the fighter. Joshua’s two long-term friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, were both killed as the black Lexus the group were travelling in hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday.

Joshua could be seen, via footage uploaded to social media, being helped from the wreckage. The boxer was then swiftly transported to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos to receive treatment for what are reported to be minor injuries at this stage.

Anthony Joshua during his fight against Jake Paul

READ: Anthony Joshua’s Injuries Feared to be ‘Worse Than First Thought’ After Fatal Car Crash

The incident throws any immediate plans for a showdown between Joshua and fellow Brit Tyson Fury into severe doubt while AJ continues to recover and come to terms with the untimely loss of his friends. Both Ghami and Ayodele happened to be sitting on the opposite side of the vehicle to Joshua and the driver when the Lexus ended up coming into contact with the stationary truck.

Aftermath of Anthony Joshua’s Fatal Car Crash

Investigators have since revealed that the vehicle that Anthony Joshua was travelling in suffered a tyre blowout. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), stated that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’ on one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads.

The crash comes days after Anthony Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami, Florida. The British heavyweight felled The Problem Child with a monstrous right hand in round six of their contest to claim victory. Despite Joshua’s feelings of pain following Monday’s crash, the boxer remains in a stable condition. Joshua was heard to cry out ‘I feel pain all over‘ once freed from the wreckage, sparking fears about the extent of the fighter’s injuries.

Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confirmed that Joshua’s mother, Yeta Odusanya, had rushed to her son’s bedside after being informed of the incident. Tributes continue to pour in for both Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, with Joshua’s prospective next opponent, Tyson Fury, writing on Instagram on Tuesday: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”

Why Anthony Joshua Was in Nigeria

Anthony Joshua celebrates with his belts after beating Andy Ruiz Jr

The trip to Nigeria was intended as a week’s holiday visiting family for Anthony Joshua, as footage emerged after the crash of the fighter playing table tennis with his friends while taking some time out of his busy schedule. The former two-time world champion was due to begin a training camp potentially in Saudi Arabia prior to facing kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in the lead up to the rumoured contest with Fury.

All that will sadly now have to wait as Joshua is set to spend New Year’s Eve in hospital while recovering both physically and mentally from a traumatic experience. Representatives for Joshua said in regard to the tragic deaths of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif 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.”

CELEB NEWS

Why Tiger Woods’ son Charlie made ‘I’m broke’ claim as his true ne

Tiger Woods’ son Charlie made ‘I’m broke’ claim as his true net worth emerges

Golf legend Tiger Woods celebrates his 50th birthday this Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for one of the most esteemed sports figures in history. Woods is the only golfer to have held all four major titles simultaneously and shares the record for the most PGA Tour wins – 82.

Although Woods continues to play, injuries have significantly curtailed his time on the course. Over the last six years, the Californian has participated in just 13 PGA Tour events, earning a relatively modest £157,000 in prize money. While this might seem like a substantial sum to most, it’s a rather paltry amount for a sportsman of Woods’ calibre.

READ: Unseen Moments of Tiger Woods With Late Earl Woods Surface as GF Vaness

However, we suspect Woods isn’t too concerned about his next pay cheque. According to Forbes, he’s amassed a pre-tax career total of £1.3 billion from prize money, endorsements, advertising deals and more. After tax, his wealth is just under £1 billion.

Woods holds a PGA Tour prize money record of around £90 million, and in 2022, Forbes officially declared him a billionaire (in US dollars), making him only the second athlete to achieve this status, following LeBron James.

Despite his peak years being in the late nineties and noughties, Woods remains the fourth highest-earning golfer of 2025 (£40 million), trailing behind John Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

Woods has used his earnings to invest in property and business ventures. The iconic golfer owns two homes on Jupiter Island, runs a golf course design company, and has a mini-golf chain called Popstroke.

Charlie Woods, son of golfing legend Tiger, is making his own mark in the sporting world. The 16-year-old, who attends Benjamin School in Florida, has had a stellar academic and athletic year.

In March, he clinched the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational and even scored a hole-in-one at the Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. With Charlie set to enrol in college in 2027, coaches are keeping a keen eye on his progress.

However, despite his early success, Charlie claims he’s not exactly flush with cash. After scoring his first hole-in-one back in December 2024, his father reminded him of an age-old tradition.

“You’re buying [a round of drinks] for everyone out here,” Tiger told his son, to which Charlie responded: “I’m not buying. I’m broke.”

It might be hard to believe that the son of billionaire Tiger Woods is strapped for cash, but it’s likely that his father still controls his finances given his young age.

Sportskeeda estimates Charlie’s net worth to be around £18.5m. Furthermore, it’s reported that a trust fund has been established for Charlie and his sister, Sam, with a rumoured sum of £14.8m set aside for them.

As Woods celebrates his 50th birthday, he can look back on a life filled with sporting triumphs. His son Charlie can only aspire to achieve a fraction of his father’s success, but he undoubtedly has the perfect mentor to guide him.