British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua survived a car crash in Nigeria that killed two members of his team on Monday.
The former world champion was a passenger in a Lexus that collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State around noon local time.
The crash killed Joshua’s close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua remains in a stable condition at a Lagos hospital, where doctors are monitoring him. His promoter Matchroom Boxing confirmed the deaths and asked for privacy for the affected families.
Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than 10 years and helped prepare the boxer for major fights, including his recent victory over Jake Paul. He co-founded the London-based gym Evolve, which will close on December 30 to mourn his loss.
Hours before the crash, Joshua posted an Instagram video of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said preliminary findings suggest the Lexus exceeded the speed limit and lost control during an overtaking maneuver before crashing into the stationary commercial truck. Joshua’s security team rescued the boxer and the driver from the wreckage.
Video footage captured Joshua being helped from the back seat of the destroyed SUV before emergency services transported him to a medical facility in Lagos.
Joshua, who was born in Watford, has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State near the crash site.
He was traveling from Lagos to join his family for New Year celebrations when the accident occurred. The boxer had been visiting Nigeria following his knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke with Joshua personally to offer condolences and wish him a speedy recovery.
The Lagos-Ibadan expressway ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest roads, with heavy traffic during the festive season.
Officials announced they will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the crash.