A new report has supposedly ‘revealed’ some of Anthony Joshua’s first words after he was involved in a fatal car crash, during which two of his closest friends died while he suffered minor injuries.
Joshua and four other adult males were travelling in a Lexus 4x4 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria, on Monday (December 29), when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck. The incident happened at around 11. a.m. local time.
Thirty-six-year-old Joshua appeared dazed and in pain during videos taken shortly after the accident, while two of his closest friends - Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were both 36 – died and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Both were close friends and key members of Joshua’s team. Ghami had acted as a strength and conditioning coach for AJ, while Ayodele had been a trainer in the boxer’s camp.
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Another person was also taken to hospital with injuries.
The British boxer was taken to a nearby hospital with his representatives – from Matchroom Boxing and 258BXG – releasing a statement confirming that AJ “sustained injuries” but was in a “stable condition” in hospital, where he will “remain for observation”.
Part of the statement read: “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Tributes quickly began pouring in following the tragic news, with Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn describing Ghami and Ayodele as “great men” while both Tyson and John Fury offered their condolences via social media on Tuesday (December 30).
Little information has been released about the true extent of Joshua’s injuries, but Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu revealed he had spoken to AJ in a phone call during which the boxer confirmed he was receiving “the best possible care”.
Members of Joshua’s family, including his mother, who is Nigerian, are said to be supporting him in the hospital.
Joshua has not yet publicly addressed the incident while he remains in hospital.
However, a new report from The Sun claims that after the crash, AJ said: “I feel pain all over my body”, while a source allegedly close to the 36-year-old fighter said he had “searing pain” in his knees as a result of the incident, but tests have reportedly revealed “no fractures”.
The crash came just ten days after Joshua’s knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami.
SPORTbible has contacted Anthony Joshua’s representatives for comment.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Nigeria, Eddie Hearn, Tyson Fury
Luke Davies