ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA — Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has narrowly escaped a life-threatening car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. While the 36-year-old boxer survived with minor injuries, local police confirmed that two people tragically lost their lives in the collision.
Key Details of the Incident:
- The Accident: At approximately 11:00 AM local time, a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck near the Makun area. Joshua was traveling as part of a two-vehicle convoy.
- Casualties: There were four occupants in the Lexus. Two passengers—the person seated beside the driver and the one beside Joshua in the back—died at the scene.
- Joshua’s Condition: Joshua, who was seated behind the driver, sustained minor injuries. Footage from the scene showed a dazed, shirtless Joshua being assisted from the wreckage. He was taken to a nearby hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
- Context: The accident occurred just ten days after Joshua’s high-profile knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami. He was in Nigeria for a “Detty December” holiday before a potential 2026 mega-fight against Tyson Fury.
Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed relief that Joshua is safe, while Nigerian authorities (FRSC and Police) have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
