LAGOS, Nigeria – Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is hospitalized in stable condition after a serious car crash in southwestern Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, officials confirmed Monday.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said through Matchroom Boxing that the boxer sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. The two victims were identified as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Photos circulating online showed Joshua being helped from a badly damaged vehicle, clearly in pain but conscious.
Authorities Confirm Stable Condition
In a joint statement, the Lagos and Ogun state governments said medical teams conducted thorough evaluations and confirmed that the hospitalized patients were stable and did not require emergency intervention. Lagos State information commissioner Gbenga Omotoso added that ambulances were dispatched immediately to the scene.
The crash happened around 11 a.m. local time on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a busy route linking Ogun State with Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub. Nigeria is the homeland of Joshua’s parents.
What Caused the Crash?
Ogun State Police said Joshua was seated in the back of a Lexus SUV and confirmed an investigation is ongoing. Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN that a tire burst caused the driver to lose control and collide with a stationary truck.
The Federal Road Safety Corps offered a similar account, saying preliminary findings suggest the vehicle exceeded the speed limit while overtaking, lost control, and struck a truck parked by the roadside. In short, a routine drive turned tragic in seconds.
Boxing World Reacts
Joshua last fought on Dec. 19 in Miami, stopping Jake Paul in the sixth round as part of his push to regain momentum. He lost the heavyweight titles in 2021 to Oleksandr Usyk.
Paul responded on X with a sober message: “Life is much more important than boxing,” adding prayers for the victims and Joshua.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, also called Joshua in hospital to offer condolences and well wishes. Tinubu said he spoke with Joshua’s mother as well, calling the loss “deeply painful.”
What’s Next for Joshua?
No further medical details were released, but Hearn said he was relieved by what he had seen so far and urged caution against speculation. Joshua, who attended boarding school in Nigeria as a child, has strong ties to the country and returned in recent years ahead of major fights.
Talks remain ongoing for a potential bout with Tyson Fury in 2026. For now, those plans take a back seat. As Paul put it bluntly, and few would argue, life matters more than any fight.
