Anthony Joshua Reported Stable After Fatal Car Accident in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria — Former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is recovering in hospital after being involved in a serious road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people from his inner circle, according to his promoter.

Matchroom Boxing, through a statement shared by promoter Eddie Hearn on social media platform X, confirmed that Joshua suffered injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. The statement added that the British boxer remains under observation and is currently in stable condition.

The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both described as close friends and members of Joshua’s team.

Images circulating online showed emergency responders helping Joshua out of a heavily damaged vehicle, with the boxer visibly in pain during the rescue.

A joint statement issued by the Lagos and Ogun state governments later confirmed that two individuals were admitted to hospital following the accident and that both were stable, with doctors determining that no immediate emergency procedures were required.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, acknowledged the incident on X, stating that emergency services, including ambulances, were promptly dispatched to the scene.

Crash Details Under Investigation

The accident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. local time along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major highway connecting Lagos — Nigeria’s economic hub — with Ogun State. Nigeria holds personal significance for Joshua, as it is the country of origin of his parents.

Ogun State Police revealed that Joshua was seated in the rear of a Lexus SUV at the time of the crash. Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

According to Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo, initial findings suggest that the accident was triggered by a tire blowout, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle before it veered into a stationary truck parked along the roadside.

Meanwhile, Olusegun Ogungbemide, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, stated that early assessments indicate the vehicle may have been traveling above the permitted speed limit while attempting to overtake, ultimately resulting in the collision with the truck.

Messages of Support Pour In

Joshua recently returned to the ring on December 19, securing a sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami — a bout aimed at sharpening his competitive edge. The British star previously lost his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.

Reacting to the news, Jake Paul shared a message on X expressing his condolences and concern.

“Life is bigger than boxing,” Paul wrote. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, AJ, and everyone affected by this tragic accident.”

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, also reached out to Joshua personally during his hospitalization.

“I spoke with Anthony Joshua to express my deepest condolences over the loss of his two associates,” the president said in a post on X. “I wished him a quick and full recovery and prayed with him. He assured me he is receiving excellent care. I also spoke with his mother, who was grateful for the call.”

Promoter Urges Caution

Eddie Hearn told British media that he learned about the accident while on a family holiday and emphasized the need to avoid speculation regarding Joshua’s condition.

“We don’t want to jump to conclusions, but from what I’ve seen, he appears to be okay,” Hearn said.

Joshua has longstanding ties to Nigeria, having attended boarding school there briefly at age 11. He returned to the country in 2019 ahead of his fight against Andy Ruiz Jr., marking his first visit in nearly two decades.

Looking ahead, Joshua has reportedly been in early discussions about a potential blockbuster bout against fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury in 2026.

At this time, no additional updates regarding Joshua’s medical condition have been officially released.

Get the latest updates only here, where we bring you the most recent information and developments as they happen. Stay connected and don’t miss any important news.