Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua faces a sombre New Year after being involved in a fatal road traffic accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger in a black Lexus SUV when it collided with a stationary truck. Tragically, the crash resulted in the deaths of two of his long-term friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Two other passengers in the vehicle escaped with their lives.
Following the collision, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been rated the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two consecutive years. Local police have stated his condition is 'stable' with what they described as 'minor' injuries, though some sources fear the injuries may be more severe than initially reported.
Investigation Points to Speed and Tyre Blowout
Police investigators have confirmed their initial findings into the cause of the crash. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle "experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed".
According to traffic police, the Lexus was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre on a road locals describe as one of Nigeria's deadliest. An eyewitness described a two-vehicle convoy, with Joshua seated behind the driver in the lead Lexus and his security detail following in another car.
Footage from the scene showed the former champion grimacing in pain as he was extracted from the wreckage and placed into a police vehicle before being taken for treatment.
Recovery in Luxury Hospital and Fight Future in Doubt
Joshua is expected to remain at the Duchess International Hospital for observation for at least several more days. The facility offers a VIP service known as the Harley Street Practice, featuring Royal Suites with ensuite bathrooms and 24-hour one-to-one care, with basic packages starting from around £2,000.
His mother, Yeta Odusanya, rushed to his bedside after being informed of the accident. A spokesperson for Joshua issued a statement confirming the devastating news and asking for privacy for the families of the deceased.
The crash casts significant doubt on Joshua's planned fighting schedule. It occurred just ten days after his victory over Jake Paul in Miami, and he had been on a one-week holiday in Nigeria before intended training for a potential March fight in Saudi Arabia. A proposed high-profile showdown against rival Tyson Fury, tentatively slated for late 2024, is now in serious jeopardy due to both physical recovery and the inevitable psychological trauma of the ordeal.
Fury himself paid tribute to the men who died, posting on Instagram: "This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven."
