British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal road traffic accident in Nigeria on Monday, a car crash that left two people dead and the Anthony Joshua hospitalized with minor injuries, according to local police and road safety officials. The accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, a major highway linking Lagos to southwestern Nigeria.
Joshua, 36, was traveling in the rear seat of a Lexus SUV when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck near the Sagamu Interchange at around 11 a.m. local time. While Anthony Joshua survived the car crash with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed that two other passengers in the vehicle died at the scene.
The Ogun State Police Command said an investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Location and Timing of the Anthony Joshua Car Crash
BREAKING: Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car accident that has left two people dead in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/aOXJtN3j6S
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 29, 2025
The car crash happened along the Ibadan-bound section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State, just before the Danco Filling Station near the Sagamu Interchange. The expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors and has a long history of serious traffic incidents.
Police confirmed that the accident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday. Emergency responders and officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were dispatched to the scene shortly after the collision.
Police Confirmation and Official Statement
In a statement released the same day, Ogun State Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed Anthony Joshua’s involvement in the fatal car crash.
“The vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated,” the statement said. “He was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries, and is receiving medical attention.”
Police added that two other passengers in the vehicle died on the spot as a result of the accident. Their bodies were later transported to the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu.
What Authorities Say Caused the Accident
My heartfelt condolences go to Anthony Joshua and to everyone affected by this devastating accident. It is a painful reminder that tragedy does not discriminate and that loss is felt deeply regardless of status or success.
Nothing diminishes Nigeria’s global standing more than… pic.twitter.com/gl9zm8FgRY
— Megami𝕩er (@djokaymegamixer) December 29, 2025
Preliminary findings from the Federal Road Safety Corps suggest that excessive speed may have contributed to the car crash. According to FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Lexus SUV was suspected to be traveling above the legally prescribed speed limit at the time of the collision.
“Initial investigations indicate the vehicle lost control during an overtaking maneuver and crashed into a stationary truck parked by the roadside,” Ogungbemide said.
In a separate briefing, Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told media outlets that a burst tire may also have played a role in the accident, which involved Anthony Joshua, causing the driver to lose control before the collision.
Authorities stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and that final conclusions will be communicated once all evidence has been reviewed.
Casualties and Injuries Confirmed
Anthony Joshua lost his Strength & Conditioning Coach “Sina Evovle” and his close friend “Healthy_Mindset” in ghastly motor accident.
Two dead in Dapo Abiodun’s Ogun State. pic.twitter.com/dkZnsHC6lq
— Arsenal;LeagueWinner (@Hemmigas) December 29, 2025
The accident resulted in two confirmed fatalities. Witnesses said one passenger seated beside the driver and another seated next to Joshua in the rear of the vehicle died instantly upon impact.
Anthony Joshua sustained minor injuries and was conscious following the car crash, according to police and video footage circulating on social media. He was taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Two other passengers in the Lexus were not injured, the FRSC said.
Eyewitness Accounts and Social Media Footage
Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo told Nigerian newspaper The Punch that there were four occupants in the Lexus SUV at the time of the car crash.
“Joshua was seated behind the driver with another person beside him,” Orojo said. “There was also a passenger beside the driver. His security detail was in a separate vehicle behind them before the crash.”
Videos shared online appear to show Joshua being helped out of the wrecked SUV by bystanders. In the footage, the boxer appears dazed and in visible pain following the accident, though he is able to stand with assistance.
Why Anthony Joshua Was in Nigeria
🚨 ANTHONY JOSHUA KNOCKS OUT JAKE PAUL 🚨
It took him six rounds to do it but the job got done 😰 pic.twitter.com/kPzwCfI1oc
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 20, 2025
Joshua had been in Nigeria following his return to the boxing ring earlier this month. On December 19, he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul by sixth-round knockout in Miami, marking his first fight in 15 months.
The accident occurred while the Anthony Joshua was spending time in the country where he has family ties. Joshua is the son of British-Nigerian parents. He attended boarding school in Ikenne, approximately 85 kilometers from the crash site, before relocating to the United Kingdom at age 12.
Reaction From Joshua’s Camp
Eddie Hearn issues statement after Anthony Joshua hospitalised following car crashhttps://t.co/wD1CSldDED
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 29, 2025
Anthony Joshua could not be reached for comment following the car crash, but a representative later told media outlets that he was receiving medical attention and was expected to recover.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Anthony Joshua was on vacation with his family when the accident occurred.
“We are trying to contact Anthony and don’t want to speculate,” Hearn said. “From what we’ve seen so far, he appears to be OK.”
What Happens Next
The Ogun State Police Command said it has launched a full investigation into the car crash, including assessments of speed, vehicle condition, and road safety compliance. Further updates are expected as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Joshua’s injuries are not believed to threaten his boxing career. The former two-time heavyweight champion is expected to return to training after recovery and has been linked to a potential bout with longtime rival Tyson Fury in 2026.
For now, police say their focus remains on determining responsibility in the car crash and supporting the families of the victims who lost their lives in the accident.
Featured image: @anthonyjoshua/Instagram
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