Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria on Monday, leading to the tragic deaths of two individuals, as confirmed by local police. Thankfully, Joshua is reported to have sustained only minor injuries.
The two-time heavyweight champion was in the back seat of a vehicle traveling on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near Sagamu, which is close to Joshua’s ancestral hometown. The accident occurred when the vehicle’s tire burst, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a stationary truck parked along the road. Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo provided details about the incident, stating, “For now, I’m aware of two fatalities and Joshua himself has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention. The Command will issue a press release soon.”
Following his recent boxing victory, where he scored a sixth-round knockout over Jake Paul in Miami, Joshua was enjoying a holiday in Africa. Unverified footage circulating online showed him seemingly dazed in the passenger seat among shattered glass, raising concerns over his condition post-accident.
A representative for Joshua indicated that early signs are promising, with statements suggesting that he is alright although they await further official updates. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, expressed his distress upon hearing the news while on a family holiday, stating: “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.”
The boxing community is closely following Joshua’s situation, especially given that his recent victory brought him closer to a highly anticipated matchup with British rival Tyson Fury, who is currently on retirement. As more information becomes available, fans and followers hope for a swift and full recovery for Joshua.