Horrific Accident: Boxing Star’s Narrow Escape

Coffin with white flowers outdoors in green surroundings.

Anthony Joshua survived a horrific car crash in Nigeria that claimed two lives, leaving the boxing world stunned just weeks after his triumphant knockout of Jake Paul.

Story Snapshot

Joshua, rear passenger in a black Lexus Jeep, suffered minor injuries when the vehicle collided with a stationary red Sinotruck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Sagamu at 11am on December 29, 2025.
Two adult males died at the scene; one other injured among five men involved; Joshua hospitalized and described as badly shaken but okay.
Crash occurred during Joshua’s holiday near his ancestral hometown, 10 days after his sixth-round KO of Jake Paul in Miami drew 33 million viewers.
Police cite burst tire causing loss of control; FRSC points to speeding during overtaking on Nigeria’s dangerous highway.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn confirms Joshua is okay; Jake Paul prays for victims, emphasizing life over boxing.

Crash Details on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The black Lexus Jeep, registration KRD 850 HN, attempted an overtaking maneuver at approximately 11am local time near Sagamu in Ogun State. Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo stated a burst tire led to the driver losing control and swerving into the stationary red commercial Sinotruck. Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed five adult males aboard the Lexus; two died instantly, Joshua escaped with minor injuries from the rear seat, one other hurt, two unhurt. Unverified footage captured Joshua dazed inside the wreckage. Authorities responded swiftly, transporting survivors for treatment.

This expressway ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest, plagued by speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and reckless overtaking. Joshua holidayed near his ancestral hometown, blending celebration of his recent victory with cultural roots. The tragedy underscores raw vulnerability—no fame shields from everyday road perils in developing infrastructure.

Joshua’s Recent Triumph and Sudden Peril

Joshua, 36-year-old British-Nigerian heavyweight, knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round on December 19, 2025, in Miami, ending a 15-month layoff. The Netflix-streamed bout shattered Paul’s jaw in two places, attracting 33 million viewers. Joshua traveled to Nigeria for recovery and heritage visit. Promoter Eddie Hearn noted Joshua appeared okay post-crash, though a friend described him badly shaken. Joshua’s team in the UK verifies details amid hospitalization at an undisclosed facility.

Paul posted on X: life matters more than boxing, praying for Joshua and victims. Hearn gathers information, eyeing potential February 2026 fight possibly against Tyson Fury. Common sense demands caution on such roads; Joshua’s luck holds, but the dead men’s families bear irreversible loss. Conservative values prioritize personal responsibility—drivers must maintain tires, moderate speed regardless of celebrity passengers.

Official Investigations and Road Safety Crisis

Ogun State Police and FRSC lead the probe. Police emphasize the burst tire; FRSC highlights speeding during overtaking. No arrests reported; investigation continues into vehicle conditions and driver actions. Nigerian highways like Lagos-Ibadan claim countless lives yearly from predictable failures: overloaded trucks, bald tires, aggressive maneuvers. Joshua’s involvement amplifies scrutiny, yet facts align—mechanical neglect and haste killed two men.

Broader implications hit boxing: heavyweight division uncertainty if Joshua’s injuries linger. Nigerian communities grieve amid renewed safety pleas. Facts support police on tire failure; FRSC’s speed warning rings true with common sense. Wealthy tourists in luxury Jeeps face same risks as locals—true equality in peril. Joshua’s survival prompts reflection: glory fades fast without vigilance.