British boxing sensation Anthony Joshua is in stable condition following a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close associates. The incident occurred on Monday morning along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. Local authorities confirmed that the Lexus SUV carrying the former two-time world heavyweight champion collided with a stationary truck. While Joshua escaped with minor injuries, the crash resulted in the immediate deaths of two passengers identified as his close friends and team members.
Matchroom Boxing later confirmed the identities of the deceased as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Ghami had served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, while Ayodele was a key personal trainer within his camp. The news has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, coming just over a week after Joshua’s high-profile knockout victory against Jake Paul in Miami. The boxer had traveled to his parents’ homeland for a holiday to celebrate his successful return to the ring.
Preliminary investigations by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) suggest that excessive speed may have played a role in the tragedy. Officials stated the vehicle appeared to be traveling beyond the legal limit when the driver lost control during an overtaking maneuver. The SUV subsequently slammed into a heavy-duty truck parked by the roadside. Images and footage shared on social media showed a dazed Joshua being assisted from the wreckage by emergency responders and onlookers. Although he appeared to be in visible pain, medical staff confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening.
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Nigerian President Bola Tinubu personally reached out to the boxer to offer his condolences. In a public statement, the President praised Joshua as a source of national pride and prayed for his swift recovery. The Ogun State Government also expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of life, noting that the deceased were “foreign nationals” traveling with the athlete. Joshua and another injured survivor were evacuated to a specialized medical facility in Lagos for comprehensive evaluations.
The boxing world has rallied around the 36-year-old athlete as he recovers from the physical and emotional shock of the event. Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his profound sadness, describing Ghami and Ayodele as “great men” and vital parts of the Joshua team. Even his recent opponent, Jake Paul, took to social media to offer prayers for the families impacted by the “unfortunate accident.”
As of Tuesday, Joshua remains under medical observation but is said to be relating well with his family. The Nigerian Police Motor Traffic Division has taken over the investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the collision. While the sports world looks forward to a potential 2026 showdown with Tyson Fury, the immediate focus remains on Joshua’s recovery and the mourning of his fallen teammates. This harrowing event serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of life, even for those at the pinnacle of global sport.
