Anthony Joshua Injured in Nigeria Car Crash That Killed Two

Disaster on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

Lagos—The boxing world held its breath early Monday after news broke that two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was injured in a head-on collision that claimed two lives on Nigeria’s busiest highway.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene, near the Redemption Camp exit, at 02:14 a.m. local time. According to Federal Road Safety Corps spokesman Florence Akinola, a Toyota Hilux traveling at high speed crossed the median and struck the SUV carrying the 34-year-old fighter.

‘I Saw the Headlights Swing Toward Us’

“There was no time to swerve,” said Tunde Bakare, a commercial driver who witnessed the impact. “The sound was like an explosion. When the smoke cleared, I recognized Joshua in the passenger seat—blood on his face, but conscious.”

Joshua was en route to a grassroots boxing clinic in Ibadan, part of his long-standing commitment to nurturing talent in the country of his ancestry. Two aides—public-relations manager Grace Okafor and driver Musa Abdullahi—died at the scene. Joshua and a security operative were stabilized at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital before being transferred to an undisclosed facility for specialist care.

Fractured Ribs, Broken Toe—But No Brain Trauma

Scans released to Sky Sports by promoter Eddie Hearn confirm:

• Fractured ribs on the right side
• Broken big toe
• Deep lacerations to the left forearm

Doctors say the injuries are “painful but not career-ending,” estimating a six-month layoff. The heavyweight’s sparring partner, Jermaine Franklin, tweeted: “He’s already asking when he can shadow-box. Lion mentality.”

Investigation Focuses on Speed and Vehicle Defects

Authorities have impounded both vehicles for forensic tests. Nigeria’s road-safety body reports that 13 percent of fatal crashes on the expressway involve excessive speed. “We will examine brake failure, possible driver fatigue, and whether either car had recall defects,” Akinola told reporters.

A Champion’s Nigerian Bond

Joshua, whose mother is Nigerian, spends several months a year in the country, funding gyms and school programs. Last December he donated equipment to the National Stadium in Lagos. “Nigeria keeps me grounded,” he said in a recent interview. “These kids remind me why I fell in love with boxing.”

Reactions Pour In

Within minutes of the crash trending, #PrayForAJ topped worldwide charts. Fellow champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk posted joint messages: “Speedy recovery, champ. The division needs you back.”

Former opponent Wladimir Klitschko struck a reflective tone: “Life is fragile. Wishing Anthony strength—inside and outside the ring.”

What’s Next for the Division?

Joshua’s withdrawal freezes talks of a December bout with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia. Matchroom Boxing says it will honor Nigeria’s medical timeline. “We won’t rush him,” Hearn insisted. “Health first, belts second.”

For now, the fighter is conscious, communicating via voice notes, and, according to hospital staff, “already plotting a comeback.”