British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car crash in Nigeria, which killed two members of his team. The former world champion was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos. The two men who died were Joshua's close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Latz Ayodele, the boxer's promoter Matchroom Boxing said in a statement. It added that Joshua was in a stable condition in hospital, where he was taken for checks and treatment and will remain for observation.
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, the Matchroom statement said. The group's chair, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, paid tribute to the two great men who were killed in the crash. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone, he said. Boxing expert Steve Bunce described Mr. Ghami and Mr. Ayodele as two of Joshua's closest friends and as massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.
The crash took place on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway at around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday. The incident involved two vehicles: a black Lexus and a stationary red commercial truck. Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the Lexus was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit, based on preliminary findings. They stated that the car appeared to have lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into the stationary truck by the side of the road.
Local officials confirmed that Joshua and another man - the vehicle's driver - were rescued by the boxer's security team. Video from the scene showed the boxer being helped out from the back seat of a wrecked SUV. A relative of Joshua's mentioned that news of the crash came as a shock to the family, who were expecting him to join them for New Year celebrations in Sagamu, where Joshua's family roots extend through several generations. Joshua had been spending time in Nigeria following his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19. Remembered for their contributions, tributes continue to pour in for the two deceased team members of Joshua's entourage.
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, the Matchroom statement said. The group's chair, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, paid tribute to the two great men who were killed in the crash. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone, he said. Boxing expert Steve Bunce described Mr. Ghami and Mr. Ayodele as two of Joshua's closest friends and as massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.
The crash took place on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway at around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday. The incident involved two vehicles: a black Lexus and a stationary red commercial truck. Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the Lexus was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit, based on preliminary findings. They stated that the car appeared to have lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into the stationary truck by the side of the road.
Local officials confirmed that Joshua and another man - the vehicle's driver - were rescued by the boxer's security team. Video from the scene showed the boxer being helped out from the back seat of a wrecked SUV. A relative of Joshua's mentioned that news of the crash came as a shock to the family, who were expecting him to join them for New Year celebrations in Sagamu, where Joshua's family roots extend through several generations. Joshua had been spending time in Nigeria following his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19. Remembered for their contributions, tributes continue to pour in for the two deceased team members of Joshua's entourage.
