Police are said to believe that Monday's horrific car crash in Nigeria, which involved Anthony Joshua, was triggered by a tyre blowout "due to excessive speed."
It has been reported that the former two-time unified heavyweight champion was travelling in a black Lexus Jeep and collided with a stationary Sinotruck while travelling on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in the southwest of Nigeria. The 36-year-old suffered 'minor' injuries in a crash that claimed the lives of two other people.
The two victims have since been identified as Kevin Ayodele and Sina Ghami – both of whom were close friends of Joshua. 'AJ' remains in a stable condition in hospital, where he was admitted for "checks and treatment" and continues to be monitored. Initially, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria had indicated that the Jeep was believed to have been exceeding the speed limit and crashed whilst attempting to overtak.e
However, Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, from Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, has now revealed preliminary investigations stipulates that the black Lexus Jeep was travelling along the motorway from Lagos to Sagamu when it "experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed" before it "lost control."
'AJ' was in the backseat of the Lexus, and footage emerged online in the aftermath of the crash showing the 36-year-old shirtless and looking rather dazed, sitting in the vehicle next to shattered glass.
Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been in touch with Joshua and his mother, Yeta Odusanya. Tinubu claimed that the boxer has assured him that he was receiving the best care in the hospital. The Nigerian leader expressed his condolences over the deaths of Joshua's friends to the 36-year-old himself as well as praying for Odusanya.
The president said: "I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital." Tinubu added: "I also spoke with AJ's mother and prayed for her; she was very appreciative of my call.”
Nigeria's leader also said: "I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention."
Tinubu had earlier released a statement on X. It read: "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."
Joshua's long-time promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to lead the tributes for the two men tragically killed in the crash. "With the heaviest of hearts," he shared in a post on Instagram. "Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone."
Chris Eubank Jr also paid tribute with an emotional post, saying: "Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz and Sina and their families. I knew both…they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys."
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