YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul has publicly shared his support for Anthony Joshua, following a serious car crash in Nigeria that left the former heavyweight champion injured and claimed two lives.
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The incident occurred on Monday 29 December 2025 on the Ogun-Lagos expressway in Nigeria. Anthony Joshua, 36, was a passenger in a Lexus Jeep involved in a collision with a stationary red commercial Sinotruck. According to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps, the crash resulted in two fatalities, with one person injured and two others escaping unharmed.
Joshua was rescued from the wreckage and taken to hospital with what were described as minor injuries. Footage from the scene showed the boxer appearing dazed and in pain. Initial reports from the Road Safety Corps suggested the Lexus may have been speeding and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre. However, Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo offered a different account to ESPN, stating the accident was caused by a burst tyre on Joshua's vehicle, which led the driver to swerve into the parked truck.
Paul's Reaction Following Recent Bout
The crash came just 10 days after Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of a high-profile heavyweight fight in Miami. The defeat left Paul with a broken jaw in two places. Despite the recent and brutal sporting rivalry, Paul took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concern.
"Life is much more important than boxing," Paul wrote. "I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident."
Ongoing Investigations and Statements
A representative for Joshua confirmed to The Independent that the boxer’s UK-based team was looking into the crash. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, told the Daily Mail he was awaiting more information while on a family holiday. "We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images," Hearn stated.
The match-up between the 28-year-old Paul and the former two-time world champion had faced significant criticism prior to their fight, with many speculating it might be rigged. Those theories were dispelled by the conclusive nature of Joshua's victory and Paul's subsequent hospital treatment.
Authorities have not confirmed in which vehicle the two deceased individuals were travelling. The remains were taken to Livewell Morgue in Sagamu, while Joshua continues to receive medical attention for his injuries.
