Anthony Joshua was involved in a deadly car crash in Nigeria when he was a passenger in a car that ploughed into the back of a stationary truck.
The 36-year-old two-time unified world heavyweight champion suffered ‘minor’ injuries in the crash. But the incident took the lives of two friends he was travelling with in the car – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele.
The incident happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday and videos of the aftermath were taken roadside by onlookers as AJ was helped from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where his condition is said to be ‘stable’.
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Joshua was filmed looking dazed as he sat in the back passenger seat behind the driver before he grimaced in agony as he exited the vehicle. The two passengers on the other side of the car were the two who tragically died. While the driver was “relatively unharmed”.
A representative of Joshua issued a statement on Monday confirming the deaths of the boxer’s team members and ‘close friends’.
The spokesman said: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele.
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.
“Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation. No further information will be made available at this time.”
Despite initial fears over the extent of Joshua’s physical injuries being publicly played down, the Daily Mail reported that sources close to the fighter say they fear the damage could be more severe.
The risk of significant injuries to Joshua’s ribs and knee has been mentioned by an individual in his inner circle. Footage filmed roadside showed AJ climbing out of the vehicle gingerly and grimacing in agony.
Aside from any physical injuries, the mental toll of losing two close friends travelling in the same car as him will be immeasurable.
Joshua’s mum rushed to be by his bedside, where he is reportedly receiving treatment at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which is recognised as the country’s best private hospital. AJ has also confirmed to Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he is getting the best medical treatment.
According to the Sun, doctors have ruled that the injuries Anthony sustained during the crash were actually not as bad as they had first thought. It has now been revealed that Joshua will remain in hospital for the next couple of days but will be discharged to recover at home.
Police confirmed that a tyre blowout “due to excessive speed” was the cause of Monday’s horror crash.
Initially, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria suggested that the Jeep may have been speeding and crashed while trying to overtake.
However, Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, from Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, has now revealed that preliminary investigations indicate the black Lexus Jeep was travelling on the motorway from Lagos to Sagamu when it “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” and subsequently “lost control.”
