Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal road traffic incident in Nigeria on Monday, an accident that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to local authorities.
Police confirmed that Joshua was traveling as a passenger in the rear of a vehicle on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, close to Sagamu, an area tied closely to his family heritage. The boxer was transported to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment, with officials indicating his injuries were not life threatening.
Authorities say the incident occurred when a tire on the vehicle failed, leading to a loss of control.
“The accident 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,” Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN.
“For now, I’m aware of two fatalities and Joshua himself has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention. The Command will issue a press release soon.”
Details from the Scene
The vehicle involved was reported to be a Lexus SUV, traveling as part of a two car convoy that also included a Pajero SUV carrying security personnel. The Lexus struck a parked truck near a fuel station along the busy highway.
Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene as bystanders rushed to help before emergency services arrived.
A witness speaking to PUNCH newspaper said:
“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.
“There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed.
“His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.”
The same witness added:
“Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist.
“A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.
“The passenger beside the driver and [the one beside] Joshua died on the spot.”
Video footage circulating online showed Joshua being helped from the wreckage, visibly shaken as emergency responders secured the area.
DEVELOPING STORY
Anthony Joshua reportedly involved in a car crash in Ogun State. pic.twitter.com/BSr9ANgpH6
— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) December 29, 2025
BREAKING NEWS: Boxing champion Anthony Joshua has survived a deadly car crash in Nigeria that killed two people. He was a passenger in a Lexus when it reportedly smashed into a truck. This is him being carried out of his vehicle, clearly in agony. But he is said to be OK. pic.twitter.com/Ppm2EHj8mn
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 29, 2025
BREAKING: Anthony Joshua just survived a fatal car crash that left two people dead in Nigeria
Here he is being pulled out of the back passenger seat
via @ringmagazine pic.twitter.com/fOJdWzHvRE
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) December 29, 2025
Promoter Confirms Initial Update
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn addressed the situation while traveling abroad, stressing caution while awaiting confirmed information.
“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.
“We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”
Just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared a short video on social media showing him playing table tennis with longtime friend Kevin Ayodele, captioned:
“@healthy_mindset dishing out table tennis smoke.”
The 36 year old boxer has deep family roots in Ogun State and is known for a prominent Africa tattoo on his right shoulder.
The incident comes shortly after Joshua’s high profile knockout win over Paul, ending the bout in six rounds. That contest drew massive global attention and was streamed to millions worldwide.
Joshua has since been preparing for a return to competition, sharing training footage from Finchley Amateur Boxing Club, the gym where his boxing journey began.
While attention now turns to Joshua’s recovery, boxing plans remain on hold pending further updates from authorities and his team. Officials have stated that a formal police report will be released once the investigation is complete.
The focus remains on the lives lost in the crash and the ongoing review of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
