Things were looking up for former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who earlier this month scored a major victory by knocking out Jake Paul in the Netflix boxing showdown, a fight that drew 33 million views. However, just days before the year ended, Joshua’s vacation in Nigeria took a terrifying turn. Today, ‘AJ’ was involved in a severe car accident in Nigeria that tragically killed two people on the spot.

Graphic footage of the crash has since circulated on social media, accompanied by warnings. Reports suggest Anthony Joshua was traveling in a convoy of two vehicles, a Lexus SUV and a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV. He was in the Lexus when it collided with a stationary truck, leaving many concerned about his condition.

What’s the latest on Anthony Joshua’s health following the crash?

Anthony Joshua traveled with his convoy on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State, known as one of the busiest and deadliest highways in the world, when the accident happened. At the time, Joshua sat in the back seat, which helped him sustain only minor injuries, according to eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo, who spoke to a Nigerian newspaper.

Following the crash, bystanders and the Federal Road Safety Corps quickly arrived at the scene. They rescued Joshua and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors treated him for minor injuries. Meanwhile, a shocking video capturing Joshua topless, surrounded by shattered glass and visibly shaken, quickly went viral on social media.

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A friend of Joshua’s told the Daily Mail that “he’s okay but badly shaken up,” while the BBC reported that Joshua is “fine.” However, Anthony Joshua’s teammates Abdul Latif and Sina Ghami did not survive and died on the spot, while the other two “escaped unhurt.” President Bola Tinubu also extended his condolences to Joshua and the victims’ families, calling it a “tragic accident.”

Authorities immediately transported Joshua to the hospital, but no ambulance appeared at the scene. Instead, police cars carried Joshua, sparking outrage on social media as fans criticized the crumbling state of Nigeria’s infrastructure.

Authorities release initial findings in Anthony Joshua accident

The FRSC recently revealed the initial cause of Anthony Joshua’s convoy accident. According to their report, the vehicle carrying Joshua was likely speeding, which made them lose control and crash into a truck parked on the side of the highway.

“The primary causes of the crash, excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the FRSC said on X.

So far, authorities are still investigating further details, but reports say the accident happened near a location roughly 53 miles from the boarding school that Joshua’s convoy was traveling to.

Anthony Joshua’s ties to Nigeria explained

Although Anthony Joshua was born in the United Kingdom, he carries a strong Nigerian heritage through his parents. Joshua also spent part of his youth in Nigeria, attending Mayflower School in Ikenne. After his parents’ relationship ended, he returned to England, but he continued to visit his family and hometown of Sagamu in Ogun State regularly to stay connected to his roots.

Joshua likely chose to visit Nigeria during Christmas, and he has also actively invested his personal earnings and boxing proceeds into community projects across the country. For instance, he has built local sports complexes and supported programs that raise the profile of sports in Nigeria. Earlier this year, on January 1, 2025, Joshua even paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and met top officials and governors to discuss expanding his development initiatives in the country.

After news of Joshua’s accident broke, fans understandably expressed concern and shared messages of support. We pray for the victims’ families and wish Anthony Joshua a full and speedy recovery. Stay tuned for further updates.