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Agence France-Presse

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was in a “stable condition” in hospital after a car accident in Nigeria that killed two close friends and associates, his promoter said on Monday.
Pictures circulating online showed a shirtless Joshua – a British national of Nigerian heritage – surrounded by what appeared to be broken window glass on the seats around him.
Joshua’s promoter said the boxer’s “close friends and team members” Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed and Joshua himself was taken to hospital “for checks and treatment”.
“He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation,” a statement read.
“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Police in Ogun state, just north of Lagos, said the circumstances around the wreck were “currently being investigated”.
Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic capital, throngs with visitors from across the country and diaspora each December.
Police said the accident took place at around 11am local time in the town of Makun, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said in a statement that the Lexus Joshua was riding in “was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck … by the side of the road”.
However, a witness who gave his name as Kunle told Agence France-Presse the truck “was not stationary” when the accident happened.
“People rushed to help without even knowing those inside the car,” the 27-year-old said. “It was when we got there we realised it was Anthony Joshua that’s inside.”
The FRSC said Joshua’s car was towed to the police station in nearby Sagamu.
Joshua’s family comes from the southwest Nigerian city and he is known to visit there when he is in the country.
Photos released by the FRSC showed a wrecked black SUV and what appeared to be blood on the road.
An Agence France-Presse reporter on the scene on Monday evening saw the 18-wheeler truck that Joshua’s car was said to have hit being towed off the highway.
Police said the two victims “lost their lives at the scene”.

Sharing a photo of himself with Joshua on social media, President Bola Tinubu wrote: “As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country.”
President Tinubu later wrote that he had spoken to “AJ” and the boxer’s mother.
“[State] Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with them, assured me he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best attention,” Tinubu wrote.
Earlier this month Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout in Miami.
“Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” Paul said on Monday on social media.
The former Olympic champion Joshua has since been linked with a fight against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury.
Joshua’s last fight before the match with Paul was a fifth-round knockout loss to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in September last year.


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Driver in fatal Anthony Joshua car crash charged with dangerous driving by Nigerian police

Boxing

Ex-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua ‘stable’ after Nigeria crash kills 2 friends

Britain’s Anthony Joshua has been injured in a fatal car crash in Nigeria. Photo: AFP

Joshua following a car accident near Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria on Monday. Photo: Sodiq Ayo via Reuters

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. Photo: Reuters

Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul to win controversial Netflix boxing bout

Jake Paul (left) does his best to avoid a swinging right hand from Anthony Joshua during their bout at the Kaseya Centre in Miami. Photo: Reuters

Jake Paul falls on the canvas after being hit by Anthony Joshua. Photo: AP

Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua mismatch latest show of how much boxing landscape has changed

Jake Paul (left) and Anthony Joshua clown around during their press conference in Miami on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Jake Paul (left) is stepping up from cruiserweight to take on heavyweight Anthony Joshua. Photo: Reuters

Jake Paul said this week he wanted to create the biggest upset in sporting history. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Two close friends of the British boxer die after the car they are in collides with a truck on country’s notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway


Two close friends of the British boxer die after the car they are in collides with a truck on country’s notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.


Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury

Ex-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua ‘stable’ after Nigeria crash kills 2 friends

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Two close friends of the British boxer die after the car they are in collides with a truck on country’s notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Two close friends of the British boxer die after the car they are in collides with a truck on country’s notorious Lagos-Ibadan Expressway