Anthony Joshua 'is stable' after car crash that killed two of his closest friends: Boxer remains in hospital in Nigeria after being pulled from wreckage | Retrui News | Retrui
Anthony Joshua 'is stable' after car crash that killed two of his closest friends: Boxer remains in hospital in Nigeria after being pulled from wreckage
SOURCE:Daily Mail
Five people were involved in the collision, with photos revealing how the vehicle was completely destroyed, with the car's doors ripped out and the roof smashed out of place.
Nigerian officials have confirmed Champion boxer Anthony Joshua is 'stable' after he was miraculously found alive in the crumpled wreck of a car following a crash that killed two of his friends.
Joshua, 36, was on his way to see family when the Lexus SUV he was travelling in smashed into a stationary truck shortly after 11am today on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, southwest Nigeria.
Images of the wrecked vehicle were released by Nigerian officials, while a Mitsubishi believed to be part of Joshua's convoy sat undamaged just yards away.
Five people were involved in the collision, with photos showing how the vehicle was completely destroyed - with the car's doors ripped out and the roof smashed out of place.
The pair were two of the Champion boxer's closest friends, and the news of their deaths is rocking the sporting community.
The tragic update came not long after the Ogun state government confirmed Joshua was stable, and had been in touch with family.
It said in a statement: 'Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
Anthony Joshua pictured after the car crash in Nigeria on Monday which killed two of his pals. The Champion boxer came within inches of death in the crash
Anthony Joshua is pictured with friends Latif Ayodele (centre) and Sina Ghami (right) who both died in the crash
An SUV can be seen completely totalled in grim pictures taken by eyewitnesses, while a Mitsubishi believed to be part of Anthony Joshua's convoy sits undamaged just yards away
Footage posted online appears to show former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, 36, shirtless and looking dazed as he sits in a wrecked Lexus SUV among shattered glass
Ghami poses with Joshua earlier this month before his fight against Jake Paul
Just five days ago, Ayodele posted this picture of he and Joshua with the caption: 'Looking like we just swam back from Miami'
Mr Ayodele is understood to be a long-standing friend of Joshua's - with their friendship stretching back before the start of the champion boxer's career. The pair are pictured here together
Sina Ghami is Joshua's long-time strength and conditioning coach. He is seen here in an image he recently uploaded to Instagram
The three friends are pictured here together in a photo uploaded to Instagram by Mr Ghami
'Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.
'A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.'
Footage also taken from the scene showed the champion boxer giving a thumbs up as officials crowd the wreck of the car.
One man could be heard repeating Joshua's name, as locals were left stunned by the appearance of the British athlete.
Just hours before the crash, a shirtless Joshua had posted a video of himself playing table tennis with Mr Ayodele.
The former world champion, whose parents are both Nigerian, shared a story to his 18 million followers on Instagram at 9.30am local time (8.30am GMT), where he appeared happy as he rallied with his close friend.
Joshua accompanied the clip with the message: '@healthy_mindset [Mr Ayodele] dishing out table tennis smoke.'
It is unclear when the footage was taken but it was posted just an hour and a half before Mr Ayodele and Mr Ghami were killed.
Mr Ghami had also shared a heartbreaking story on Sunday night where he ate a Persian meal with a friend and smiled as he said: 'One life.' This morning, he posted a picture of a Mitsubishi, which was part of Joshua's convoy.
Mr Ayodele is understood to be a long-standing friend of Joshua's - with their friendship stretching back before the start of the champion boxer's career.
He featured Joshua in his first post on Instagram in 2015 to mark his friend's first world title win against Charles Martin.
Mr Ayodele was born Kevin Ayodele, though he later converted to Islam and went by the name Abdul 'Latz' Latif.
A keen sportsman, Mr Ayodele played football for Aylesbury United, Tooting & Mitcham United, Hillingdon Borough, AFC Hayes, Chalfont Wasps and Northwood.
Mr Ghami, Joshua's long-time strength and conditioning coach, also featured Joshua in his first post on Instagram.
The Ogun State Government had earlier said the two fatalities were 'foreign nationals' before Joshua's promoter confirmed their names.
'Preliminary reports indicate that two male foreign nationals died on the spot,' it said.
'Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.'
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, said in a statement on Instagram tonight: 'With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.'
He added: 'Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected - and we asked that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.'
It is understood that Joshua was seated behind the driver, next to another passenger, when the crash occurred. His security detail followed behind the Lexus.
Local police are investigating the incident, but conflicting reports on how the crash happened have emerged from official sources.
The Federal Road Safety Corps said the SUV is believed to have been travelling 'beyond the legally prescribed speed limit' and lost control while making 'an overtaking manoeuvre', before crashing into a truck parked on the side of the road.
But Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN: 'The accident happened as a result of a burst tire on AJ's vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road.'
A friend of the star said that 'he's okay but badly shaken up'.
Joshua's promoter Eddie told Daily Mail Sport just hours after footage of the boxer appeared online: 'We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don't want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears okay from what I have seen in the images.
'We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.'
An eyewitness told Punch newspaper: 'It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.
Shattered glass at the accident site on December 29, 2025 in Sagamu, Nigeria
Truck being towed at accident site on December 29, 2025 in Sagamu, Nigeria
He is later seen sitting in the front seat of an emergency vehicle, speaking to officials. The star cheated death in a horror car crash in Nigeria on Monday
'Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.
'Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.'
Jake Paul, Joshua's recent rival, tweeted following the news of the crash: 'Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident.'
Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offered his sympathies following the deadly crash.
He said in a post on X: 'This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season. I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident.
'As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.
'I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.'
President Bola Tinubu later said he had spoken to Joshua personally to send his condolences.
And he added he had also spoken to and prayed for Joshua's mother who he claimed was 'deeply appreciative' of the call.
He said on X: 'I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident.
'I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.'
The heavyweight has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, and has a tattoo of Africa on his right shoulder.
He is believed to have been on holiday and on the way to see relatives when the accident occurred.
A relative of Anthony Joshua, who asked not to be named, told the BBC they were in 'shock' upon hearing the news.
'We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away - I pray for the departed to rest in peace,' they said.
'He's normally coming around for the new year. We haven't seen him so we were expecting him.'
A truck pictured at the side of the road following the fatal collision in Nigeria on Monday
A large vehicle pictured with a tarpaulin draped over it on Monday afternoon. Five men are believed to have been involved in the crash overall
Joshua was expected to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February after his sixth-round knockdown of YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami this month.
He had flown back to Britain after his knockout victory before his pre-planned trip to Nigeria where he was expected to stay for a week.
Joshua pocketed a reported £70million from his fight with Paul, which was viewed by more than 30 million people on Netflix.
The father-of-one, as expected, emerged triumphant - breaking his opponent's jaw in two places ahead of the final knock-out, although later said he should have won sooner.
Joshua gave Paul credit while speaking to reporters after his victory, admitting it took him 'a bit longer than expected' to stop the American.
'It wasn't the best performance,' he said.
'The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request and that was on my mind. Took a bit longer than expected but the right hand found the destination.
The stationary truck which the car Anthony Joshua was travelling in hit on Monday morning
A picture of a truck which was posted on Instagram by his strength and conditioning coach before the group set off
Joshua had posted a story on his Instagram account four hours ago, where he is seen topless in a video playing table tennis with his long-time friend Latif Ayodele
Anthony Joshua lost two of his friends in the tragedy. The trio are pictured here together
Anthony Joshua and Sina Ghami are pictured. Mr Ghami, believed to be in his mid-30s, tragically died in the crash
'Jake Paul has done really well tonight, I want to give him his props. He got up, time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way through.
'You have to give Jake his respect for trying, trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight that's had a 15-month lay-off.'
An Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested.
'Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families.'