Anthony Joshua’s visit to Nigeria took a sudden and worrying turn on Monday after the former heavyweight world champion was involved in a serious road accident. Nigerian authorities confirmed the incident on the Ogun–Lagos expressway, sending shockwaves through the boxing world and beyond.
The 36-year-old boxer was reportedly injured in the crash, which occurred along the busy Lagos-Ibadan highway near Makun in Ogun State. Local reports claim two other people lost their lives, though details around the circumstances are still emerging.
Joshua has strong family ties to the region, with roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State. His presence in Nigeria had drawn attention in recent days, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.
Just hours before the accident, Joshua shared a video on Instagram of himself playing table tennis with another man. Posted at around 08:30 GMT, the clip showed a relaxed and smiling fighter, offering a stark contrast to the events that followed later in the morning.
The former unified heavyweight champion had been spending time in Nigeria following his recent bout with Jake Paul on 19 December. While it remains unclear where or when the video was filmed, it highlighted how quickly the day shifted from calm to crisis.
Eyewitnesses said the crash happened shortly after 11am on Monday. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest roads, often crowded and unforgiving, adding to concerns around road safety in the area.
For Joshua, the incident is a sobering reminder of life beyond the ring. A fighter known for his strength and resilience now faces an unexpected challenge away from boxing gloves and bright arena lights.
Fans across Nigeria and the UK reacted with shock and concern, flooding social media with messages of support.
