Anthony Joshua ‘narrowly escapes death’ in car crash that kills two
Police say vehicle carrying boxer was travelling with ‘excessive speed’ on one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads connecting Ibadan with Lagos
Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped death in a car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria.
Officials confirmed the British boxer, 36, was in a “stable” condition and did not require surgery after he was found alive inside a wrecked vehicle.
The crash involved five men and happened on a busy section of the Lagos–Ibadan expressway at around 11am local time on Monday. Joshua, who had reportedly arrived in the country on Sunday, sustained minor injuries and two “foreign nationals” were killed. They have now been confirmed as Kevin Ayodele, known as Latz, and Sina Ghami. Both were 36 and, as well as being longtime friends of Joshua, were employed as personal trainer and sport and exercise rehabilitation coach, respectively.
A statement from Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, read: “Anthony Joshua was involved in a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier today.
“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 and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.
“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. No further comment will be made at this time.”
The Ogun state government said Joshua “narrowly escaped death” in the accident. The two-time heavyweight world champion was sat directly behind the driver of the vehicle and both were rescued by security personnel. The man sat in the passenger seat in the front of the car suffered catastrophic injuries and died. The other fatality was sat directly behind him.
A spokesperson said: “Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos. A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.”
Joshua was in the back of a Lexus SUV when it hit a stationary truck. He was among four passengers in the vehicle, with his security following in a separate car.
Traffic police said they believed the Lexus was suspected to be travelling over the speed limit and said the car lost control during “an overtaking manoeuvre” before it crashed into the truck.
A spokesperson said earlier in the day: “The Ogun state government has expressed profound condolences to the families, friends and associates of the victims of a tragic road accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, who narrowly escaped death on Monday.
“The Ogun state government describes the incident as deeply unfortunate and painful, particularly with the loss of precious lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical care. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the state considers a devastating loss.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said it was “urgently investigating” the crash, which had involved “at least one” British national. A statement said: “We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested. Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families”.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said: “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.”
Corps marshal Shehu Mohammed added: “On behalf of the entire management and staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps, [we] extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured victim, Anthony Joshua, a speedy recovery.
“FRSC reiterates its warning to motorists to avoid dangerous overtaking, excessive speed, and disregard for traffic regulations, particularly on high-speed corridors such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.”
The speed limit on that section is 50mph, with local media claiming it is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. The 79-mile stretch connects Ibadan and Lagos.
Footage showed a topless Joshua looking dazed at the scene, while appearing in pain. Further video showed two bodies strewn across a road.
An eyewitness told Punch newspaper: “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.
“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.”
Prior to the crash, Joshua had posted a video on Instagram in which he is playing table tennis with Ayodele, who also shared the post on his own social media account.
The crash occurred days after Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami. Joshua broke Paul’s jaw in two places in a fight viewed by more than 30 million people on Netflix. Both Ayodele and Ghami worked with the Briton for the bout and were in attendance at the Kaseya Center.
Paul said: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, was expected to fight in February next year in a warm-up bout before a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
In the aftermath of the Paul fight, Joshua said: “If Tyson’s finished with the Twitter fingers and wants to pick up the gloves again, I’m here. It’s a shame he retired. I beat him all day long, and twice on a Sunday. That’s a real fight. That’s what the fans deserve.”
The proposed fight between the two British heavyweights was understood to be scheduled for late summer next year, most likely September.
Joshua has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State in south-west Nigeria. He attended a boarding school in Ikenne, 53 miles from where the crash happened, before returning to Britain when he was 12.
A family relative, who asked not to be named, told the BBC: “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace. He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.”
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