Former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria on December 29, 2025, leaving two people dead and the boxing star hospitalized with minor injuries, according to local officials.
The crash occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, a major highway linking Nigeria’s commercial capital to other key regions. Joshua, 36, was traveling as a passenger in a Lexus SUV when the vehicle reportedly lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and collided with a stationary truck.
Emergency responders rushed Joshua to a nearby hospital where he was described as being in stable condition and under medical observation. Authorities say he sustained minor injuries and does not currently require emergency surgery.
Tragically, two of Joshua’s close friends and team members — identified as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele — lost their lives in the crash. Both men were long-time associates of the British-Nigerian boxer, playing key roles in his training and support team. AP News
Officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps have indicated that speeding and unsafe overtaking may have contributed to the collision, which has prompted a formal investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident.
The incident comes just days after Joshua’s high-profile knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, in what had been a major boxing event in December.
Messages of support and condolence have poured in from the global boxing community, with fans, promoters, and fellow fighters expressing sorrow over the loss of Ghami and Ayodele and wishing Joshua a full recovery.