Anthony Joshua ’couldn’t talk’ after crash which killed two friends and left him injured, eye-witness says
Anthony Joshua was left "unable to speak" after he was injured in a deadly car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his friends.
An eyewitness near the scene said he heard a "loud boom" and described the boxer as shaken by the "deadliness of the incident".
Ajala Yusuf Oluwaseyi said he initially thought a tire had burst on the SUV, before realizing the vehicle had driven under a truck parked on the highway in Lagos at 11 am on Monday.
Footage shared online shows a shirtless Joshua crying in pain as he is pulled from the wreckage of the SUV among broken glass.
Five men were in the car when it collided with a stationary truck at the side of the road, officials said.
Joshua, 36, who was on holiday, is receiving treatment for his injuries, but his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele were killed.
Recalling the incident, Mr. Oluwaseyi told Sky News: "He was shocked, he couldn’t talk."
Tributes and well-wishes have poured in since the crash, including from Tyson Fury, and Jake Paul, who Joshua had fought and beaten on December 19 in Miami.
Fury shared a tribute on social media and wrote: "This is so sad, may God give them a good bed in heaven."
Nigeria’s president also took to X to send his condolences and said AJ told him he was receiving the "best possible care."
Bola Ahmed Tinubu wrote: "I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident.
"I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care. I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her.
"She was deeply appreciative of the call. Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with them, assured me he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best attention.
"May God strengthen the families and grant repose to the souls of the departed."
Fellow British boxer and former Olympian Amir Khan also said: "Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of AJ’s two close boys. I don’t even have the right words for such a difficult time.
"May God give their families strength, and may Allah grant them the highest rank in Jannah. Also wishing AJ a speedy recovery."
I have spoken with AJ to personally convey my condolences over the passing of his two close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in the recent accident. I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care.… https://t.co/mlpYQX2by7
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) December 29, 2025
A statement from an official spokesperson for Anthony Joshua previously said: "It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin Ayodele.
"Both were close friends and integral members of Anthonyâs team. We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news."
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