British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has survived a serious car crash in southwestern Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near Makun in Ogun State. Joshua, a British Nigerian and former Olympic gold medalist, was a rear-seat passenger in a Lexus SUV involved in the collision. Police said he sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical care.
Crash Under Investigation
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was traveling above the legal speed limit when it lost control during an overtaking maneuver and struck a stationary truck parked along the roadside.
Two other occupants of the vehicle died at the scene. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified the victims as Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, describing them as close associates of Joshua. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, also referred to the men as close friends and members of his team.
President Tinubu said he spoke with Joshua following the incident, offering prayers and wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
Recent High-Profile Victory
The crash comes just days after Joshua’s widely watched boxing match against social media personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Joshua decisively defeated Paul in a Netflix-streamed bout on Dec. 20, drawing an audience estimated at around 33 million viewers worldwide.
Joshua, 36, first rose to international prominence at the 2012 London Olympics, where he won a super-heavyweight gold medal for Great Britain. He later became a dominant force in professional boxing, capturing multiple heavyweight titles and building a reputation as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Career Highs and Setbacks
Joshua’s professional record includes several major victories, though his career has also seen notable setbacks. After a strong title run, he suffered back-to-back losses to Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. In September 2024, he lost another title fight to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois.
Despite those defeats, Joshua’s recent win over Jake Paul marked a high-profile return to the spotlight.
Community Reaction
Authorities said the investigation into the crash is ongoing. The incident has sparked renewed discussion in Nigeria about road safety on major highways, particularly on heavily trafficked routes such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua has not yet released a personal statement, but those close to him say he is recovering and focusing on healing after the tragedy.
