Anthony Joshua Stable After Fatal Crash
Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua is in hospital and stable after a car crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that killed two passengers. Nigerian and boxing authorities say an investigation is under way into the cause, while Matchroom Boxing confirmed the identities of the deceased and said Joshua remains under observation.
Anthony Joshua is in hospital and reported to be stable after a road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday that killed two passengers, his promoter Matchroom Boxing said. Matchroom said on X that Joshua "sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment" and that he would "remain there for observation." The promoter named the two passengers who "tragically passed away" as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Photos circulating on social media showed rescuers extricating Joshua from a badly damaged vehicle. A joint statement from the Lagos and Ogun state governments said that "following thorough clinical evaluations, medical professionals have confirmed that both patients [hospitalized after the accident] are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time." Lagos state commissioner for information Gbenga Omotoso confirmed the crash on X and said ambulances had been sent to the scene.
Authorities have given differing preliminary accounts as investigations continue. Ogun State Police said Joshua was in the back of a Lexus SUV and that circumstances of the crash were being investigated. Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN the incident "happened as a result of a burst tire on AJ's vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road." The Federal Road Safety Corps offered a different early assessment, with spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide saying initial inquiries indicated 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." The crash occurred at about 11 a.m. local time on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major artery linking Lagos — Nigeria's economic capital — with neighbouring Ogun state.
Nigeria is the homeland of Joshua's parents and the boxer has strong ties to the country. Joshua recently returned to the ring on Dec. 19, defeating Jake Paul by sixth-round knockout in Miami as he sought to regain momentum after losing the world heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.
Paul posted on X: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident." The investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues and officials have not yet released a final report. Residents and road users in the region may see renewed attention to vehicle safety and enforcement on busy corridors as authorities review the circumstances.
Our condolences go out to the families of the deceased and to all affected by the accident.
Primary source: VINO