Anthony Joshua remains hospitalised following fatal car accident
Anthony Joshua will remain hospitalised in Lagos through New Year’s Eve as he continues his recovery from a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, reports BritPanorama.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a Lexus that collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun on Monday. Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, both integral members of Joshua’s inner circle, died in the accident.
Joshua has been taken to the Duchess International Hospital, Nigeria’s top-rated private medical facility for two consecutive years. Local authorities report that his condition is stable, although there are concerns that his injuries may be more serious than initially acknowledged.
Nigerian traffic police have attributed the collision to a tyre burst due to excessive speed. Investigators believe the Lexus was exceeding the 50 mph limit while attempting to overtake another vehicle—a manoeuvre on a stretch of road considered one of the most dangerous in the country.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, confirmed that the vehicle “experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed.” Witnesses noted a two-vehicle convoy comprising the Lexus and a Pajero SUV carrying Joshua’s security detail.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after bystanders initiated rescue efforts. Footage from the scene showed Joshua grimacing in apparent pain as he was moved from the wreckage into a police vehicle. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s president disclosed that Joshua’s mother, Yeta Odusanya, quickly made her way to her son’s bedside upon hearing the news.
A representative for Joshua released a statement on Monday evening expressing profound sadness over the loss of Ghami and Ayodele, emphasizing their close ties to the boxer. Tyson Fury, Joshua’s long-time rival, shared his condolences via Instagram, remarking, “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
This collision occurred just ten days after Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami, potentially casting significant doubt on his future boxing activities. The 35-year-old had been visiting relatives in Nigeria during a week-long break, with plans to return to training for a late March bout against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Saudi Arabia, followed by a proposed showdown with Fury in the autumn.
While the exact extent of Joshua’s injuries remains unclear, observers believe that a quick return to the ring appears highly unlikely. In addition to physical recovery, the psychological impact of losing two friends in this tragic incident looms large, complicating an already difficult situation for the athlete.
