British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua was recently involved in a tragic car accident on Monday, December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an incident that claimed the lives of two of his close companions and left the former two-time unified heavyweight world champion injured. The news sent shockwaves through the Nigerian and UK sports worlds, prompting an outpouring of condolences and well-wishes from across the globe.

Reports indicate that Joshua, 36, who had recently secured a victory against Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, was traveling in a Lexus SUV to Sagamu to visit his extended family. The vehicle reportedly collided with a stationary truck or trailer parked by the roadside in Makun, Ogun State, near the Danco Filling Station before the Sagamu Interchange. While Joshua survived the impact, sustaining only minor injuries and remaining conscious, his two friends and support team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, tragically lost their lives at the scene.

Emergency services arrived promptly, and cellphone footage showed Joshua wincing in pain as he was removed from the badly damaged, right-hand drive wreckage. Diagrams released after the crash suggested that Joshua and the driver, who were on one side of the vehicle, narrowly avoided death, while the two passengers on the other side took the brunt of the impact. The local Ogun State Government and Lagos State governments confirmed Joshua was in a stable condition and was subsequently taken to a specialized hospital in Lagos for assessment and medical treatment, where he is still receiving care.

As a proud representative of his Nigerian heritage, Joshua has always maintained a deep connection with the country. Following the devastating news, a wave of tributes and messages of strength have poured in. Among the notable figures expressing their sympathies are Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fellow boxer Chris Eubank Jr., and promoter Eddie Hearn.

The Nigerian sports community also rallied in support. Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi, speaking after Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Uganda in the AFCON 2025 group stage in Fes, Morocco, conveyed his deep sadness. “Ah man, it was a difficult one when we heard that,” Ndidi told Soccernet.ng. “He lost his friends. It’s really, really a sad one, you know. I hope he can recover from that. I wish him strength, and his family, and the family of the guys who died also all the strength.”

Fellow Super Eagles players Bright Osayi-Samuel, Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey, and Dele Bashiru also shared their condolences. Osayi-Samuel noted, “It’s tragic to hear that two of his friends died. We just hope he gets better.” Osimhen added, “It is really devastating to hear something like that for someone that is putting Nigeria on the map. My thoughts are with him and his family and the ones that he lost.” Bassey and Bashiru echoed similar sentiments, offering prayers and expressing the profound sadness felt by the entire nation.

Mr. Wale Edun, President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation and Honourable Minister of Finance, described Joshua as a “national treasure” and extended the boxing community’s prayers for his speedy recovery, adding, “The loss of life is always deeply distressing, and our thoughts and prayers are with you, Anthony, and the affected families at this difficult time.”

As of now, Anthony Joshua is still receiving treatment in Lagos state and has not yet put out a formal statement after the tragedy. The boxing community and his supporters worldwide are hoping for his swift recovery and that he will be able to bounce back stronger from this difficult experience.