Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua cried out in pain as he was pulled from the wreckage of a high-speed car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his long-term friends.
The Fatal Incident on a Deadly Road
The collision occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria, a route locals describe as one of the country's most dangerous. Joshua was a passenger in a black Lexus SUV that was part of a two-vehicle convoy when it suffered a catastrophic tyre blowout and ploughed into a stationary truck.
Police investigators confirmed the crash was caused by the tyre burst due to excessive speed, with traffic police believing the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit during an overtaking manoeuvre. Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps stated the vehicle had 'experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed'.
Friends Lost and a Champion Hospitalised
The tragic accident resulted in the confirmed deaths of two of Joshua's close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Two other passengers in the Lexus miraculously escaped with their lives.
Footage from the roadside showed the former unified champion grimacing in agony before being moved to a police vehicle. Sources described hearing his cries of 'I feel pain all over' as he was extracted from the mangled car. He was subsequently rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos.
Recovery in a Luxury Lagos Hospital
Anthony Joshua will spend New Year's Eve in the high-end medical facility, which has been rated Nigeria's best private hospital for the past two years. Insiders say he is expected to remain there for at least a couple more days for observation and recuperation.
While local police told Daily Mail Sport the boxer is in a 'stable' condition with 'minor' injuries, there are concerns the damage may be more severe than initially stated. The hospital's elite Harley Street Practice on its sixth floor offers VIP patients Duchess Royal Suites with 24-hour one-to-one care, ensuite bathrooms, and gourmet meals, with basic packages starting from around £2,000.
Nigeria's president revealed that Joshua's mother, Yeta Odusanya, rushed to her son's bedside upon hearing the news. A representative for Joshua issued a statement expressing 'deepest and most profound sadness' and asking for privacy for the families involved.
Impact on Boxing and Tributes Paid
The crash, which happened at midday local time, came just ten days after Joshua's victory over Jake Paul in Miami. He had been visiting family in Nigeria on a one-week holiday before planned training for a potential March fight in Saudi Arabia against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
His proposed historic showdown with long-time rival Tyson Fury, tentatively slated for late 2026, is now in serious doubt. The psychological trauma of the ordeal that killed his friends, alongside his physical injuries, makes a quick return to the ring highly unlikely.
Tyson Fury paid tribute to the men who died, posting on Instagram: 'This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.'
