Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident that killed two of his close friends who were traveling with him in Nigeria, promoter Matchroom Boxing said on Monday.
Joshua suffered minor injuries, and another two men walked away unhurt, Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said in a social media post.
“With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away,” Matchroom Boxing said in a statement.
Both men were longtime friends and trainers of Joshua.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said preliminary findings suggest the vehicle carrying Joshua was likely speeding when it lost control while overtaking and crashed into a stationary truck parked by the roadside.
“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the FRSC said on X.
Joshua’s representatives did not immediately comment on the accident.
Videos circulated on social media show Joshua apparently wincing in pain while being extricated from a wrecked vehicle. Local media reports said the British-Nigerian boxer was then taken to a hospital.
The accident occurred on a major thoroughfare linking Lagos, the country’s economic center, to nearby Ogun state.
Joshua was born in the UK to Nigerian parents and briefly attended boarding school in Ikene, Ogun state, when he was 11 years old.
The two-time world champion won his fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on Dec. 19 in a bout intended to help Joshua regain sharpness following a 15-month layoff.
Joshua lost the world title to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.
Paul shared his condolences on X, writing, “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ, and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu posted on X, also offering his condolences to Joshua.
“I sympathize with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride,” the Nigerian president said, posting a photo of himself and the fighter together.
“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny. I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”
Tinubu followed up with another post on X, saying he had personally spoken to and prayed with Joshua and his mother over the phone.
Joshua has been in talks to fight longtime British rival Tyson Fury in 2026.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
