British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria on Monday, suffering minor injuries while two other passengers lost their lives. The crash occurred just days after his high-profile victory in the ring.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The collision took place around 11 a.m. local time on Monday along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. According to the Ogun State Police Command, Joshua was seated in the rear of a Lexus SUV when the vehicle crashed. He received medical attention for his minor injuries at the scene.
The Federal Road Safety Corps stated the Lexus was speeding "beyond the legally prescribed speed limit" when it collided with a stationary truck. The status of the driver remains unclear following the devastating impact.
Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Aftermath
Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo informed local outlet The Punch that the passenger beside the driver and the individual seated next to Joshua both died at the scene. Images and video from the site, shared by officials and media, showed the damaged vehicle and Joshua standing outside the SUV after the crash.
Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, confirmed on social media that ambulances were dispatched to the location. Reports indicate Joshua was traveling from Lagos to his family's home when the accident happened.
Reactions from the Boxing World
The news sent shockwaves through the sports community, coming merely days after Joshua's highly publicized heavyweight victory over YouTube star Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, 2025.
Jake Paul addressed the tragedy on social media, writing: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident."
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, told the Daily Mail they were attempting to contact the boxer. "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 said. He added that they were awaiting more information and would provide updates.
Authorities have confirmed that the accident is under investigation.
