Investigators have identified a combination of a burst tyre and excessive speed as the primary causes of the serious road accident involving former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua.
Details of the Crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, 30 December 2025, along the busy Shagamu interchange section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Southwest Nigeria. The vehicle carrying the British-Nigerian boxer, a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), collided with the rear of a stationary lorry.
Anthony Joshua, 36, was subsequently rushed to Duchess International Hospital in Lagos for medical attention. Tragically, two men travelling with him, identified as his close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, lost their lives at the scene.
Official Findings from Traffic Investigators
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) conducted a preliminary investigation into the crash. TRACE spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, disclosed the critical findings to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, 31 December.
Akinbiyi stated that the SUV was being driven at an excessive speed. "In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst," he explained. This sudden tyre failure led to a catastrophic loss of control. The vehicle then swerved violently before ramming into the parked truck.
"There was overspeeding... There was excessive speed," Akinbiyi emphasised, confirming the dual factors that led to the devastating outcome.
Aftermath and Current Condition
Following the crash, graphic images and videos circulated online, showing a shirtless Joshua being assisted from the wreckage of the mangled SUV, visibly in pain. His promoter, Matchroom, issued a statement confirming the boxer was in "stable condition" in hospital undergoing checks and treatment.
Joshua, whose family hails from southwestern Nigeria, is known to visit the country regularly. The police confirmed the two victims died instantly at the accident site. The boxing world and fans across Nigeria and the UK have been awaiting further updates on the champion's recovery.
