Anthony Joshua Hospitalised Following Fatal Car Crash in Nigeria

British boxer Anthony Joshua has been hospitalised following a car accident in Nigeria, which tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at approximately 11:00 AM local time on Monday.

Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight champion, sustained minor injuries and is currently receiving medical attention. A friend of the boxer reported that while he is physically fine, he is understandably shaken by the event. Unverified videos circulating on social media appear to show Joshua disoriented in the passenger seat of a vehicle, surrounded by shattered glass.

A family member, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed the family's shock over the incident. "We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also for the people who passed away. I pray for the departed to rest in peace," the relative stated. They added that Joshua was travelling from Lagos to visit the family home for the New Year celebrations, noting, "We haven’t seen him, so we were expecting him."

Local police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo confirmed that an investigation into the accident is underway. “I can confirm to you that an accident occurred and the victim has been taken to the hospital,” he informed the BBC.

Anthony Joshua, who was born in Watford to British-Nigerian parents, gained international recognition after winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight category at the London 2012 Olympics. He turned professional later that year and quickly rose through the ranks, capturing the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title in 2016.

Over the years, Joshua has unified the heavyweight division with significant victories against renowned fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Alexander Povetkin. However, his reign faced challenges, including a surprising defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, which he managed to rectify in a rematch later that same year.

Following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, Joshua has been in a phase of rebuilding, working with new trainers to regain his standing in the sport. In recognition of his contributions to boxing, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2013 and received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire honour in 2018 for his broader services to sport.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on Joshua's recovery and the impact of this tragic incident on the lives of those involved.