By Our Reporter
British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car accident on Monday morning along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, leaving two people dead and the former world champion injured.
According to police reports cited by the BBC, the crash occurred around 11 a.m. when a Lexus SUV in Joshua’s convoy collided with a smaller truck on the busy highway, known for frequent accidents. Two passengers reportedly lost their lives — one seated beside the driver in Joshua’s vehicle and another pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua, 36, who was seated in the back, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Video footage circulating on social media shows the visibly shaken boxer being helped from the wreckage amid shattered glass.
Speeding was initially blamed for the crash, but Ogun state police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo later told ESPN the boxer’s SUV had suffered a burst tyre that caused the driver to lose control and “swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road”.
Ogun State police spokesperson Omolola Odutola, however, confirmed that investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether road or traffic conditions played a role.
The two-time heavyweight champion was in Nigeria on holiday following his recent comeback fight against Jake Paul in Miami, where he secured a sixth-round knockout victory. Just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis.
As of press time, Joshua’s management team has not released an official statement, though reports indicate he is stable and recovering.