British heavyweight boxing icon Anthony Joshua, fresh off his triumphant return to the ring against Jake Paul, was involved in a car accident in Nigeria on Monday morning, resulting in two fatalities and leaving the 36-year-old fighter with injuries.
The crash took place on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, according to police reports obtained by the BBC. The area is allegedly known as one of the country’s busiest and potentially most dangerous highway intersections.
According to those local police reports, Joshua’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV traveling along with a two-car convoy – collided with a smaller truck around 11 a.m. local time in Nigeria. The crash has reportedly claimed the lives of two passengers riding along with the fighter: one seated beside the driver in Joshua’s SUV and another person who was announced dead at the scene.
Joshua, who was riding in the back seat, escaped with non-life-threatening injuries and was seen being quickly transported to a nearby hospital.
Footage circulating across social media has captured some of the immediate moments after the crash. A video clip posted by X user Dom_Lucre shows a shirtless Joshua appearing dazed and in pain, surrounded by shattered glass and debris, as bystanders help him out of the wreckage.
Nigerian media outlets like Channels Television and The Nation Nigeria have confirmed further details about the crash, with police spokesperson Omolola Odutola saying that an investigation is underway to determine the cause and whether it was related to any infrastructure or traffic issues in the area.
Joshua, a two-time former world heavyweight champion with Nigerian roots, was in the country on holiday following his viral win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami. The fight against Paul was Joshua’s first comeback after a 15-month hiatus, recording a knockout in the 6th round.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua shared an Instagram story of himself playing table tennis, appearing relaxed.
As of press time, Joshua’s management team has not issued an official statement, but online claims state that he is stable and recovering.