Anthony Joshua was pulled from a wrecked Lexus SUV after a serious crash on the Lagos-Ibadan highway that killed two passengers. Footage shows onlookers helping the former heavyweight champion out of the mangled vehicle as he grimaced in pain. Authorities say he sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
The collision happened near a petrol station on what is widely considered one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Local reports state the Lexus suffered a tyre burst, lost control, and struck a stationary truck while attempting to overtake at high speed. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said excessive speed and wrongful overtaking were the likely causes.
Images released by authorities show the SUV’s demolished front-end
Credit: Federal Road Safety Corps
Five men were reportedly inside the vehicle. Two died at the scene. Two others were said to have escaped unharmed. Joshua was believed to be seated behind the driver at the time.
A relative said the news shocked the family and wished Joshua and the deceased “speedy recovery” and “rest in peace” respectively. Joshua had arrived in Nigeria for a week-long visit and was travelling from Lagos toward his family home when the crash occurred.
Two dead in the Anthony Joshua crash in Ogun
Police in Ogun State confirmed the accident and Joshua’s hospitalisation. A witness described pulling survivors from the wreck before officials arrived and said the passengers beside the driver and beside Joshua died on impact.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said he was trying to reach Joshua but early indications suggested the boxer was physically okay.
Hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video on social media playing table tennis with a friend. The incident comes shortly after he knocked out Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami, a bout viewed more than 33 million times on Netflix.
