Former boxing heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car crash in Nigeria that killed two people, who were his coaches and friends.
The 36-year-old, on holiday in Africa following his sixth-round victory over Jake Paul less than a fortnight ago, was travelling in the back of a vehicle that crashed into a stationary truck on the side of the highway after a tyre burst, Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN.
Speed is suspected to be a factor. The incident happened on Nigeria’s Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, with footage circulating online showing a shirtless Joshua appearing dazed inside a vehicle, surrounded by what looked to be shattered glass.
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In a statement on social media, Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified the deceased.
“I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident. I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care,” his statement said.
“I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the call.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with them, assured me he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best attention.
“May God strengthen the families and grant repose to the souls of the departed.”
Ayodele, known as ‘Latz’, was Joshua’s personal trainer, while Ghami was his strength and conditioning coach. Both were close friends.
Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing also made a statement identifying the victims.
“With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away,” the statement said.
“Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. 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.”
The circumstances around the wreck are “currently being investigated,” said police in Ogun state, just north of Nigeria’s economic capital Lagos, which throngs with visitors from across the country and diaspora each December.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom, told Daily Mail Sport he was on a family holiday and “awoke to the news of this incident”.
“We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images,” he said.
Police said the wreck, in which two people in Joshua’s car were killed, occurred around 11am, in the town of Makun.
An eyewitness told Nigerian media outlet Punch that two vehicles from Joshua’s entourage were travelling together, with the boxer’s security team in the car behind before the crash.
According to the report, a person in the passenger seat and the person seated next to Joshua — who was said to be sitting behind the driver — were killed instantly.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said in a statement that the Lexus Joshua was riding in “was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck… by the side of the road”.
However, a witness who gave his name as Kunle told AFP: “The truck was not stationary when the accident happened.”
“People rushed to help without even knowing those inside the car,” the 27-year-old said.
“It was when we got there we realised it was Anthony Joshua that’s inside.”
The FRSC said that Joshua’s car was towed to the police station in nearby Sagamu. Joshua’s family hails from the southwest Nigerian city and he is known to visit there when he’s in the country.
A joint statement from the Ogun and Lagos State governments confirmed that Joshua and another man were taken to hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.
“Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos,” the statement read.
“Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
“A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely. Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family.
“The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that the affected persons receive the best possible medical care.
“Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have also commenced.”
Photos released by the FRSC showed a totalled black SUV, and what appeared to be blood on the road.
An AFP reporter on the scene Monday evening saw the 18-wheeler truck that Joshua’s car was said to have hit being towed off the highway.
Police said two people “lost their lives at the scene”.
The names of the victims have not been released but a spokesman for the Ogun state governor said preliminary reports indicated they were “two male foreign nationals”.
It has been reported that both men were friends of Joshua.
Sharing a photo of himself with Joshua on social media, President Bola Tinubu wrote earlier: “As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country.”
Earlier this month Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout in Miami.
“Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” Paul said Monday on X.
The former Olympic champion Joshua has since been linked with a fight against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury, which could happen next year.
Joshua’s last fight prior to the match with Paul was a fifth-round knockout loss to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in September last year.
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