Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has sustained injuries in a serious car accident in Nigeria.
Tragically, the crash on Monday claimed the lives of two of his longtime team members and close friends.
The Crash on a Notorious Nigerian Highway
The incident occurred around midday on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State.
According to police investigator Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua was traveling from Lagos to Sagamu when it “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” and subsequently lost control, colliding with a stationary truck.
Following the impact, Joshua and the driver were rescued from the wreckage by the boxer’s security team and taken to a hospital in Sagamu for treatment.
A Stable Boxer Mourns the Loss of Close Confidants
Fortunately, medical officials and Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirm the boxer is in stable condition and under observation.
A joint government statement noted he was conscious and had been in contact with his family. However, the accident proved fatal for two other passengers: Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. In a statement, Matchroom expressed its “deepest condolences” to their families, a sentiment echoed by promoter Eddie Hearn, who paid tribute to the “two great men.”
A Community and a Sport in Mourning
Underscoring their integral role, boxing expert Steve Bunce described the pair as “massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine,” noting they had been with him from very early in his career.
Ghami’s gym, Evolve, announced it would close in mourning. Meanwhile, tributes poured in from across the boxing world, including from Jake Paul, who stated,
“Life is much more important than boxing.” Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu also conveyed his condolences directly to Joshua in a personal call.
An Investigation Launched Into the Deadly Road
Unfortunately, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is known as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous roads, a risk exacerbated during the festive season.
Local authorities have pledged a “comprehensive investigation” into the crash.
Joshua, who has deep family roots in the Sagamu area and was visiting after his recent fight victory, was reportedly traveling to join relatives for New Year celebrations.
Ultimately, while the boxing world breathes a sigh of relief for Joshua’s survival, the mission to Riga underscores a profound loss for his team and the sport
