Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was in a “stable condition” in hospital after a car accident in Nigeria that killed two close friends and associates, his promoter announced on Monday.
Matchroom confirmed police and media reports that he was involved in the smash, which happened on Monday morning on a main road linking Lagos and Ibadan in the southwest of the country.
His promoter said the boxer’s “close friends and team members” Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed and Joshua himself was taken to hospital.
“He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation,” a statement read.
“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.”
Police in Ogun state, just north of Lagos, said the circumstances around the wreck were “currently being investigated”.
Police said the accident occurred around 11:00 am local time in the town of Makun, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
“People rushed to help without even knowing those inside the car,” an eye witness said. “It was when we got there we realised it was Anthony Joshua that’s inside.”
The FRSC said that Joshua’s car was towed to the police station in nearby Sagamu.
Joshua’s family hails from the southwest Nigerian city and he is known to visit there when he is in the country.
Earlier this month, Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout in Miami.
The former Olympic champion Joshua has since been linked with a fight against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury.
Joshua’s last fight before the match with Paul was a fifth round knockout loss to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in September last year.
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