Anthony Joshua Alive After Fatal Nigeria Car Crash: Boxing Champion Survives Accident That Killed Two Days After Jake Paul Knockout
Breaking: Anthony Joshua is alive. Let me say that again because social media is going crazy right now—Anthony Joshua survived a car crash in Nigeria this morning that tragically killed two other people.
Official confirmation from Ogun State Police Command: Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed to multiple news outlets that Joshua “sustained minor injuries and [is] receiving medical attention.” Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN that Joshua “has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.” CNN received direct confirmation from police spokesperson Babaseyi Boluwatife, who stated “Anthony Joshua is well and responding to treatment.”
The 36-year-old boxing champion is in stable condition with minor injuries, but two lives were lost in this devastating accident.
Here’s what happened, and why Joshua is incredibly lucky to be walking away from this.
What Happened on That Highway This Morning
The crash happened around 11 a.m. Monday morning, December 29, 2025, in Makun, Ogun State, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway—one of Nigeria’s busiest and most dangerous highways.
Joshua was sitting in the back seat of a Lexus SUV when it collided with a stationary truck parked on the side of the road. According to the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the vehicle was speeding and lost control while trying to overtake another car. That’s when everything went wrong.
The Lexus, suspected of traveling beyond the legal speed limit, crashed into the parked truck during an illegal overtaking maneuver. The impact was devastating.
Anthony Joshua’s Condition: Minor Injuries, Major Relief
Let me be crystal clear with official sources:
Ogun State Police Command released an official statement confirming Joshua “was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and [is] receiving medical attention.”
Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN: “Joshua himself has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.”
Police spokesperson Babaseyi Boluwatife told CNN directly: “Anthony Joshua is well and responding to treatment,” noting he sustained only “minor bruises.”
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, told Daily Mail Sport: “We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK.”
Videos circulating on social media show Joshua shirtless, covered in cuts and bruises, sitting near the wrecked vehicle. It’s shocking footage, but he’s conscious, he’s talking, and he’s alive. Emergency crews moved him to a response van where he spoke with officers.
The former heavyweight champion was rushed to a nearby hospital. His injuries include cuts and what appears to be shoulder trauma, but nothing life-threatening. Nothing career-ending. He walked away from a crash that could have easily killed him.
The Two Victims: A Tragic Loss
This is where the story gets heartbreaking. Two people in the vehicle died at the scene.
Official police statement: “Tragically, two other passengers in the vehicle lost their lives at the scene. The deceased have been conveyed to Livewell Hospital Morgue, Sagamu.”
According to Ogun State officials speaking to CNN, those who died were foreign nationals. Their identities haven’t been officially released yet out of respect for their families, but they were part of Joshua’s group traveling that morning.
According to the FRSC report, five adult males were in the crash—two died, one was injured (Joshua), and two escaped without harm. The deceased have been taken to Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu.
Think about that for a second. Joshua is sitting in the back seat, probably scrolling his phone or looking out the window, and in an instant, two people in his vehicle are gone. That’s the kind of trauma that stays with you forever.
How the Crash Happened: Speed and Bad Timing
The Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps has been investigating all morning, and here’s what they’ve determined: excessive speed and wrongful overtaking were the primary causes.
The driver was trying to pass another vehicle on the expressway. The Lexus was going too fast. They lost control. And there was a truck—just sitting there, parked on the side of the road like trucks do on Nigerian highways. The Lexus slammed right into it.
An eyewitness told Nigerian media that Joshua’s security detail was traveling in a separate vehicle behind them. They watched the whole thing happen. Can you imagine?
Images from the crash site show a completely destroyed Lexus, a dented truck, and debris scattered across the highway. It’s a miracle anyone survived.
Just Days After Knocking Out Jake Paul
Here’s what makes this timing so surreal. Joshua had just fought Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, winning by sixth-round knockout. Ten days ago. The boxing world was still buzzing about it.
He came to Nigeria to celebrate that victory, to connect with his father’s homeland, to do some charity work. He’d posted videos on Instagram just hours before the crash, playing table tennis, looking relaxed and happy. And then this happened.
Why Joshua Was in Nigeria: His Deep Roots There
Joshua is the son of British-Nigerian parents and attended boarding school in Ikenne, about 85 kilometers from where the crash happened, before returning to Britain at age 12. He’s always been proud of his Nigerian heritage.
He has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, and he visits regularly. This wasn’t some random celebrity tour—he was going home.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is notorious. It’s one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Speeding is common. Trucks park wherever they want. Accidents happen constantly. Even with security, even with a convoy, even with all the resources in the world, you’re not immune to the dangers of that highway.
What Happens to Joshua’s Boxing Career Now
Look, the man just survived a fatal car crash. His boxing career is the last thing on his mind right now. But people are asking, so here’s what we know.
Joshua’s promoter hasn’t released a detailed statement yet, but the message is clear: everything is on hold. There were talks of potential fights—maybe a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, possibly that long-awaited Tyson Fury mega-fight. All of that can wait.
It’s unclear when Joshua will be back in the ring. And honestly? It shouldn’t be anytime soon. The physical injuries will heal. The mental and emotional scars from losing two people in your vehicle? That takes time.
The Boxing World Responds to Anthony Joshua Car Crash Nigeria
Social media exploded within minutes of the news breaking. Twitter, Instagram, everywhere—fighters, fans, promoters all expressing shock and relief.
Even Jake Paul, the guy Joshua just knocked out, posted supportive messages. That tells you something about the gravity of this situation. This transcends boxing rivalries. Two people died. A champion nearly died. This is real life.
Why Nigerian Roads Are So Dangerous
Let me explain something about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for those who’ve never been to Nigeria. It’s a death trap. That’s not an exaggeration.
The FRSC said excessive speed and wrongful overtaking are among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways. Trucks park on the roadside without warning. Drivers overtake recklessly. There’s limited enforcement of speed limits.
Even if you’re Anthony Joshua, even if you have security, even if you’re in a luxury SUV—you’re vulnerable. The roads don’t care who you are.
What We Know Right Now About Anthony Joshua Injuries
As of this afternoon, here’s the confirmed information:
- Anthony Joshua is alive and in stable condition with minor injuries
- He was treated at the hospital and is receiving ongoing medical care
- Two people in the crash died at the scene
- The crash happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State
- Speed and illegal overtaking caused the accident
- Police and the FRSC are investigating
Anthony Joshua After Jake Paul Fight: From Victory to Tragedy
In the Netflix fight on December 19, Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round, breaking Paul’s jaw. It was supposed to be a triumphant return after a 15-month layoff. Joshua looked good. He looked powerful. He looked like he had more left in the tank.
He flew to Nigeria riding that high. He was posting content, engaging with fans, enjoying his father’s homeland. And then, in a split second on a dangerous highway, everything changed.
What Happens Next: Investigation and Recovery
The Ogun State Police Command and the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps are conducting a full investigation. They’ll examine the vehicle, interview witnesses, review the crash site, and determine if there are any criminal charges to file.
For Joshua, the priority is recovery—physical and mental. Minor injuries can still take weeks to heal properly. And the psychological impact of surviving a crash that killed two people? That’s something you work through with professionals.
The Reality of Anthony Joshua Survived Fatal Crash
Let me put this in perspective. Video from the scene shows Joshua shirtless, glass everywhere, sitting in the dust beside the wrecked Lexus. No cameras. No entourage in that moment. Just shock.
He could have died today. Easily. The two people in the vehicle with him didn’t make it. That’s how close this was. When you see those images of the destroyed Lexus, you realize just how lucky he is to be alive.
Final Word: Anthony Joshua Is Alive and Recovering
To everyone frantically searching “is Anthony Joshua dead” or “Anthony Joshua car crash death”—no. He’s alive. He’s in stable condition with minor injuries.
But two families lost someone today. That’s the real tragedy here. Joshua survived, and we’re grateful for that. But this crash took lives. It’s left scars that won’t heal quickly.
The boxing champion has a long road ahead—not just in terms of physical recovery, but in processing what happened on that highway. For now, the important thing is he’s alive, he’s receiving care, and he has time to heal.
The ring will wait. Life comes first.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements from the Ogun State Police Command, Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), eyewitness accounts reported by credible news organizations including ESPN, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Sky Sports, and The Punch (Nigeria), and statements from Joshua’s representatives. Information is accurate as of December 29, 2025, at the time of publication. The situation is still developing, and updates may emerge as investigations continue.
Sources:
- Ogun State Police Command official statement (Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi)
- Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo (statement to ESPN)
- Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) statement (spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide)
- CNN (direct confirmation from police spokesperson Babaseyi Boluwatife)
- ESPN, BBC, Sky Sports, Al Jazeera, Fox News, TMZ, Deadline, Newsweek
- Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo (statement to The Punch newspaper)
- Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter (statement to Daily Mail Sport)
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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