On Monday, former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua from Britain was hospitalized in stable condition following a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of one close friend and two team members, according to his promoters. Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn, informed on X that Joshua was injured, taken to the hospital for treatment and remains there under observation. The deceased passengers were identified as Sheena Gami and Latif Ayodele. Social media images showed Joshua grimacing as he was extracted from the wreckage.
A joint statement from Lagos and Ogun state governments confirmed both patients admitted after the crash are stable and do not require urgent medical procedures. Lagos State Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso confirmed the accident and noted that an ambulance was dispatched to the scene. The crash happened around 11 a.m. local time on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a key route connecting Ogun State to Lagos, where Joshua’s parents originally come from.
Ogun State Police reported that Joshua was seated in the back of a Lexus SUV and that the accident circumstances are under investigation. According to Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo, the tire of Joshua’s car burst, causing loss of control and a collision with a stationary truck. Olusegun Ogunbemide, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, added preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was speeding and lost control while overtaking before hitting the parked truck.
Joshua had recently defeated Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer and his opponent to regain ring form, with a sixth-round knockout on December 19 in Miami. He lost the heavyweight world title to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021. Paul expressed his condolences and prayers on X for those affected by the accident.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called Joshua at the hospital to offer personal condolences and wished him a quick recovery, also praying with Joshua and speaking to his grateful mother. No additional updates on Joshua’s condition were provided. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, shared that he was on vacation when he heard the news but noted Joshua appears to be okay based on photos.
Joshua spent some time at a Nigerian boarding school when he was 11 and visited the country again in 2019 before a major fight. He is currently in talks to face fellow British boxer Tyson Fury in 2026.
Fan Take: This tragic accident is a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be, even for elite athletes like Anthony Joshua. For fight fans, Joshua’s recovery and future matches, especially the potential clash with Tyson Fury, hold significant importance as they could shape the next chapter of heavyweight boxing.
