Boxing champion Anthony Joshua was injured Monday in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that killed two passengers, officials said. The incident occurred on the Ogun Lagos Expressway, a major highway connecting the southwestern state of Ogun with the commercial hub of Lagos.
Nigerian authorities confirmed that Joshua sustained minor injuries and was receiving medical attention. Joshua, 33, a three time heavyweight champion, was in the back seat of a Lexus traveling along the expressway.
When a tire reportedly burst, causing the vehicle to collide with an idle truck parked on the side of the road, Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunwalo told ESPN.
“His driver lost control after a tire burst,” Ogunwalo said. “Unfortunately, the crash claimed the lives of two other passengers in the vehicle.”
An eyewitness who spoke to Nigeria’s The Punch described the vehicle’s occupants. “Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.
There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four people in total,” the witness said. “His security detail was traveling in the vehicle behind them before the crash occurred.”
Joshua was born in Watford, England, to British Nigerian parents. He attended a boarding school in Nigeria during his youth but returned to Britain after his parents divorced.
He recently fought Jake Paul in a high profile bout, securing the 29th win of his professional career with a knockout.
Road safety experts noted that tire failures remain a frequent cause of highway accidents in Nigeria, particularly on heavily trafficked routes such as the Ogun Lagos Expressway.
Dr. Adebayo Olumide, a transport safety consultant based in Lagos, said, “Tire maintenance and vehicle inspection are critical, especially for high speed travel on expressways. Even minor issues can lead to catastrophic outcomes.”
Motor vehicle accident data in Nigeria shows that crashes involving tire blowouts account for a significant portion of highway fatalities.
“Many accidents could be prevented with proper infrastructure and routine checks, but enforcement and awareness are still challenges,” Olumide said.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps reports that over 20,000 deaths occur annually on Nigerian roads, with expressways accounting for a large percentage of high-profile accidents.
Comparatively, the United Kingdom, Joshua’s home country, records roughly 1,500 road fatalities each year, highlighting differences in road safety regulations and vehicle standards.
The Ogun Lagos Expressway has long been criticized for poor maintenance, inadequate signage, and a high frequency of roadside hazards, such as parked trucks and debris.
According to a 2023 report by the National Bureau of Statistics, more than 15 percent of crashes on Nigeria’s major highways were caused by tire blowouts or mechanical failures.
Residents along the expressway expressed sorrow at the incident and raised concerns about ongoing safety issues. “We see crashes almost every week.
Trucks parked on the shoulder without warning signs make it very dangerous,” said Tunde Afolabi, a Lagos based commuter. Local traffic officer Miriam Okeke said authorities are investigating the crash.
“We are working to determine if speed, vehicle condition, or road factors contributed. Our priority is to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” she said.
Officials emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of vehicle safety regulations and enhanced road maintenance. Experts recommend more frequent tire inspections, speed monitoring, and improved emergency response services along high risk highways.
Joshua’s recovery is expected to be straightforward given the minor nature of his injuries, though the crash highlights broader safety concerns for motorists in Nigeria. “Even high profile travelers are not immune to the dangers of poorly maintained roads,” Olumide said.
Anthony Joshua’s involvement in the fatal Ogun Lagos Expressway crash underscores ongoing road safety challenges in Nigeria.
While Joshua sustained minor injuries, the deaths of two passengers highlight the urgent need for improved vehicle safety practices and highway infrastructure.
Nigerian authorities continue their investigation into the accident, and experts stress preventative measures to reduce future fatalities.
