It has also been stated that the collision was between a Lexus Jeep, of which Joshua was in the back of and a stationary truck. An investigation as to how the accident occured has subsequently begun.
The 36-year-old recently returned to the ring and knocked out influencer Jake Paul in the sixth round which left him with a broken jaw.
Follow our live blog on Express Sport for all the latest news on the crash and updates on Joshua’s condition…
The UK Foreign Office has told the BBC that it is “urgently investigating reports” of a road incident in Nigeria which involves “at least one British national.”
A spokesperson also confirmed that it is ready to “offer consular assistance,” if needed, adding: “Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has released a statement on X regarding Sunday’s fatal crash, which saw Anthony Joshua come through unharmed.
He said: “AJ, I extend my deep sympathies to you following the tragic accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which claimed two precious lives and caused you injuries.
“This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season. I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident.
“As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.
“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny. I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”
AJ,
I extend my deep sympathies to you following the tragic accident on the Lagosu2013Ibadan Expressway, which claimed two precious lives and caused you injuries.
This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season.
I sympathise with you and your family as you bear theu2026 pic.twitter.com/GbqrPh7BiX
The Ogun and Lagos State Governments have released a joint statement on Monday’s car crash involving Anthony Joshua.
“The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States wish to confirm that British-Nigerian two-time unified world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, was involved in a road traffic accident earlier today along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway,” they said.
“The vehicle conveying a team of four reportedly collided with a stationary truck, resulting in two fatalities. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and pray that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear this difficult loss.
“Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos. Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
“A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely. Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family. The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that the affected persons receive the best possible medical care.
“Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have also commenced. We appreciate the concern shown by members of the public and kindly request privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family at this time.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOINT STATEMENT BY OGUN AND LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENTS ON ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING ANTHONY JOSHUA
The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States wish to confirm that British-Nigerian two-time unified world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, wasu2026 pic.twitter.com/m5VkFmX57t
Anthony Joshua has sustained minor injuries after being involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two other people. The accident, which occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, is currently under investigation by local police, while Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed the boxer is being treated in hospital and appears to be okay.
Ogun’s state government say the two people killed in Monday’s crash were “two male foreign nationals”, according to preliminary reports. Dramatic video footage has emerged showing Joshua in visible pain as he was rescued from the mangled wreckage of a Jeep following a fatal collision with a truck in Nigeria. The former heavyweight champion was travelling in the back seat at the time of the crash.
The Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria has confirmed that the Lexus Jeep carrying Anthony Joshua was travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit” when it collided with a stationary truck. While the crash tragically claimed two lives – both from the same vehicle – and left Joshua with minor injuries, authorities have handed the case over to the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division for further investigation.
Just hours before his involvement in a fatal car crash in Nigeria, Anthony Joshua was seen in high spirits playing table tennis with his longtime friend Kevin Ayodele. The relaxed social media footage, which showed the boxer laughing and competing, stands in stark contrast to the devastating collision later that morning that resulted in two deaths and Joshua’s hospitalisation.
Turki Alalshikh has expressed his support for Anthony Joshua following the former heavyweight world champion’s involvement in a fatal car accident close to Lagos in Nigeria.
The boxing supremo, who had arranged Joshua’s upcoming bout in Saudi Arabia for February, followed by a second clash in 2026 against British adversary Tyson Fury, posted images of the duo embracing ringside and standing together with a copy of The Ring Magazine, which Alalshikh owns.
Joshua is believed to have sustained only “minor injuries” from the collision, though the incident is expected to delay his comeback to the ring and his role as a key draw for Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, with boxing forming a central element of the Kingdom’s cultural festival.
Speaking on X, he said: “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by todayu2019s unfortunate accident.
Ogun’s state government say the two people killed in Monday’s crash were “two male foreign nationals”, according to preliminary reports.
Two passengers were unscathed, while Joshua, who was in the backseat, sustained minor injuries.
Ogun’s government states that Joshua and the driver were rescued from the car by security personnel accompanying them.
New details have emerged regarding the fatal car crash that injured Anthony Joshua. The Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria has revealed that the Lexus Jeep involved in the accident was travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”.
The tragic incident took place on a Monday morning, resulting in two fatalities. Nigerian road safety officials confirmed that five adult males, including Joshua, were involved in the collision.
Read more here
Anthony Joshua’s car accident occurred less than two weeks after his heavyweight win over YouTube sensation Jake Paul on December 19.
Joshua, who hadn’t stepped into the ring since his loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, shattered Paul’s jaw in two places during the six-round victory in Miami.
The bout netted the 36-year-old British boxer a portion of a reported £210million purse.
Despite the win, some critics voiced their disapproval of the match, streamed on Netflix, due to Paul’s relative inexperience and more diminutive stature compared to Joshua.
Approximately 645 people died between 2023 and early 2025 on this stretch of road.
During that same 27-month period, nearly 4,000 people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Q1 2025 Data: In the first three months of this year, a total of 73 people died in 175 recorded crashes on the expressway.
February was recorded as the month with the highest fatalities, with 30 deaths occurring in that 28-day period.
A unnamed relative of Anthony Joshua has spoken to 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,” the relative says.
It was confirmed that Joshua was travelling from Lagos to the family home.
They added: “He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.”
It has been confirmed by road safety officials in Nigeria that five adult males, including Anthony Joshua, were involved in the crash.
Elsewhere, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria have issued updates stating that the Lexus Jeep that crashed was travelling at “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”.
They have added that the vehicle lost control during “an overtaking manoeuvre”.
Local police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo has also confirmed to the BBC that an investigation into the car accident has been ordered.
He also stated: “I can confirm to you that an accident occurred and the victim has been taken to the hospital.”
Police in Ogun State, Makun, Nigeria have issued statements confirming that Anthony Joshua has gone to hospital after a fatal road traffic accident that killed two others.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had also stated to the Mirror that Joshua was on his way to hospital, but OK.
Local news outlet Punch has reported that a spokesperson for the police, Oluseyi Babaseyi, has given a response after the crash. His update stated: “Two [have] died, while Joshua and one other have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment at a hospital that would not be disclosed.”
gun State Police Command have also confirmed to the BBC that two people have died in the accident.
Anthony Joshua has been suffered minor injuries in a fatal road traffic accident that has killed two others in Nigeria.
It has been confirmed by promoter Eddie Hearn and Ogun State Police Command that Joshua has since been taken to an “undisclosed hospital”.
Reports from local outlet PUNCH has stated Joshua was sat in the back of a Lexus Jeep when it collided with a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, Ogun State.
Videos and images of a dazed Joshua being pulled from a mangled car have since surfaced.
The Times have since claimed that a tyre burst caused the car carrying Anthony Joshua to swerve into a lorry after losing control.
It was later officially confirmed by Ogun state traffic compliance and enforcement agency that Joshua was involved in the collision.
Local news outlet PUNCH have provided further details on the car accident involving Anthony Joshua.
Their reporter Adeniyi Orojo stated: “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.
“The passenger beside the driver and the person beside Joshua died on the spot.”
Eddie Hearn has also confirmed to the Daily Express’ sister-title the Mirror that Anthony Joshua is on his way to hospital, but is OK.
Hearn, who is away in the Carribean, had only just woken up to the news and could not provide further updates beyond that.
Anthony Joshua’s promoter and chairman of Matchroom sport, Eddie Hearn has now spoken on the car crash.
He told The Daily Mail: “I am away on a family holiday and awoke to the news of this incident.
“We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images.
“We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”
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Following the car crash, an update from the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, has come to light.
He reportedly said in a phone call to Punch: “I’ve seen the videos too, but I will get back to you on it.”
It is some quite shocking news coming out of Nigeria iinvolving Anthony Joshua.
Images of the heavyweight boxer in the aftermath of the car accident corroborate reports that he has suffered minor injuries.
Though, it has been claimed that two men died on the scene.
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