Anthony Joshua critically injured in fatal car crash in Nigeria

Nigeria: British professional boxer and former two time heavy weight champion Anthony Joshua, has been critically injured in Nigeria following a deadly car crash on Monday, which also resulted in the deaths of his two friends. Reportedly his vehicle collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stated that a total five members were involved in the deadly accident, British professional boxer Anthony Joshua, his driver, Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele: Two close friends and coaches of Joshua, and one undisclosed man.

According to local media reports, the incident took place around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday, on a busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, in Ogun State, Nigeria, when Joshua and his team were exploring the city.

Reportedly, they were travelling in a Lexus SUV at a high speed along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, when they suddenly lost control over the vehicle and collided with a stationary truck parked by the side of the road.

The collision was deadly as the vehicle was totally damaged from the front and back side while two passengers lost their life on the spot. Bystanders immediately rushed to help them and with the help of the boxer's security team, took out the 36-year-old champion from the back seat of the wrecked vehicle and his driver from the front seat.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were contacted by the witnesses, and upon reaching the scene of the incident officers immediately transported the injured victims to the nearby hospital where they are being treated and are in a stable condition.

Authorities stated that the two other victims who were in the vehicle with the boxer died during the accident and couldn't be saved while the undisclosed man did not sustain any injuries and is safe.

Officers also disclosed that hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video to Instagram of himself playing table tennis with another man but it is unclear exactly when or where the video was taken.

Since then the tributes have poured from the boxing world as one of the American YouTuber-turned-boxers, Jake Paul, posted on his X that “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lives lost.”