Anthony Joshua Stable After Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash Claims Two Lives.
By OLADEJO ERIYIMIKA
Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has been confirmed to be in stable condition following a tragic road accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that resulted in the death of two passengers and left many Nigerians in shock.
The accident occurred on Monday morning near Sagamu, Ogun State, while the Nigerian-British boxer was travelling in a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle. Joshua, who was seated in the rear of the vehicle at the time of the crash, reportedly sustained minor injuries and was immediately placed under medical observation.
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the incident happened at about 11:00 a.m. when the vehicle conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck parked by the roadside. Preliminary investigations revealed that a burst tyre caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, forcing it to swerve off its lane and crash into the parked truck.
Police confirmed that two other occupants of the vehicle died instantly as a result of the impact, while Joshua and another passenger survived. Emergency responders and security officials were said to have arrived promptly at the scene, where rescue operations were carried out before the injured were evacuated to a specialist medical facility in Lagos.
In an official statement, the Ogun State Police Command said investigations were ongoing to determine all factors surrounding the accident, including the condition of the vehicle and the circumstances that led to the truck being parked along the highway.
Speaking on the incident, Ogun State Police Commissioner, Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed that the tyre burst triggered the fatal collision and disclosed that Joshua was conscious and responsive when rescued from the wreckage. He added that the boxer was taken for further medical evaluation as a precautionary measure.
A joint statement released later on Monday by the Ogun and Lagos State governments confirmed that Joshua and the surviving passenger were taken to Lagos for comprehensive medical examinations. The statement revealed that doctors had certified both patients to be in stable condition and that no emergency surgical intervention was required.
The governments further noted that Joshua had been able to communicate with members of his family, easing concerns about his health and well-being following the incident.
Photos and videos that later surfaced on social media platforms showed emergency workers assisting Joshua from the badly damaged vehicle, with the visibly shaken athlete receiving immediate medical attention at the scene.
Reacting to the development, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, described the incident as alarming and deeply distressing. He said he became aware of the crash while on vacation with his family and that efforts were ongoing to get detailed updates on Joshua’s condition. He added that initial reports suggested the boxer had avoided life-threatening injuries.
Joshua was in Nigeria as part of a personal visit to Africa, just days after returning from the United States where he recorded a sixth-round knockout victory over American boxer and internet personality Jake Paul in Miami earlier this month.
The victory marked Joshua’s 29th win in 33 professional fights, reinforcing discussions within boxing circles about a possible high-profile bout in 2026 with long-time British rival Tyson Fury, who is currently retired from the sport.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul also took to social media platform X to express sympathy, stating that the preservation of life outweighed sporting rivalry. He offered prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives and wished Joshua and all others affected a swift recovery.
The incident has once again drawn attention to safety concerns on major Nigerian highways, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has witnessed several serious accidents in recent years.
The Ogun State Police Command has assured the public that comprehensive findings from its investigation will be released in due course, as tributes, condolences, and messages of support continue to pour in from fans and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond.