British boxer Anthony Joshua, former heavyweight world champion, suffered a car accident in Nigeria, resulting in two people killed from his team, and he himself suffered minor injuries. The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Highway, near Lagos, where Joshua stayed after his last fight.
According to witnesses and police reports, an accident caused a broken tire in a vehicle where a 36-year-old athlete traveled. The driver lost control of the car, leading to a collision with another vehicle. Joshua traveled in the luxury SUV Lexus, and the fatalities were members of his team – according to unofficial information, coaches and close friends of the boxer, known as Latz and Sina. Sina was responsible for Joshua's physical condition and Latz for boxing training.
Joshua was immediately transported to a hospital where his condition was determined to be stable. The doctors only confirmed minor injuries, such as bruises and scratches, but the boxer was tested in detail. "Anthony is shocked but physically well. This is a huge tragedy for the whole team," said promoters Joshua in a press release.
The accident occurred only a week after Joshua's loud fight with Jake Paul, whom British won by knockout. Joshua stayed in Nigeria, his country of origin (his parents are Nigerian) to rest and meet his family. Police in the state of Ogun confirmed that the investigation is pending and preliminary findings indicate a technical failure as the main cause.
Recordings from the scene of the social media have shown Joshua leaving the wreckage of a car with visible pain, supported by rescuers. The boxing world expressed compassion – boxing federations, including WBC and IBF, offered their condolences to the families of the victims. Joshua fans around the world send word of support, and the boxer himself has yet to make a personal statement.
