Anthony Joshua stands on stage during a face-off against Jake Paul at a news conference promoting their upcoming heavyweight boxing match, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Anthony Joshua was in a stable condition in the hospital on Monday after being involved in a car crash in Nigeria. The crash killed two people who were close friends and team members, Joshua’s promoter said.
Anthony is a two-time former world heavyweight champion from Britain, and Nigeria is the homeland of his parents. Joshua briefly went to boarding school in Nigeria at the age of 11. He returned there for the first time in 17 years in 2019, ahead of a fight against Andy Ruiz Jr.
The car crash occurred on a major thoroughfare in Nigeriathe Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which links Ogun state to Lagos. The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. local time. Ogun State Police earlier said in a statement:
“The vehicle conveying Mr. Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated. Joshua, seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical attention with another injured person.”
Olusegun Ogungbemide, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, has already shared findings from preliminary investigations. According to Ogungbemide, the vehicle was “traveling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking maneuver and crashed into a stationary truck,” which was by the side of the road.
The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed the accident in a post on X, adding that the government had sent ambulances to the crash site.
Matchroom Boxing said on X that Anthony Joshua “sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment.” Additionally, Joshua will “remain there for observation.” As mentioned, he is in stable condition.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, called Joshua in hospital. The president said on X, “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates…I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care. I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the call.”
No further details on Joshua’s condition were given. Meanwhile, Lanre Ogunlowo, the Commissioner of Police for Ogun State, told the AP: “Anthony Joshua is in an undisclosed hospital being treated for his injuries.”
Photos on social media showed Anthony Joshua being extricated from a wrecked vehicle while he was wincing in pain.
Also, the Ogun state government said that “preliminary reports indicate that two male foreign nationals died on the spot.” On X, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing identified the two passengers who died as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, calling them Anthony’s close friends and team. According to AP, Ghami was Joshuas strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media playing table tennis together. A fundraiser for Latif has raised over $180,000 since the tragic accident.
Anthony Joshua beat YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Dec. 19 in a bout in Miami. Joshua was using the match to regain sharpness in the ring after losing the world heavyweight title in 2021 to Oleksandr Usyk. Paul responded to the car crash on Monday, saying: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Associated Press writer Ope Adetayo and AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
