Anthony Joshua is set to welcome the New Year in one of Nigeria’s top medical facilities, as he recuperates from a devastating car accident that tragically claimed the lives of two of his friends.

The two-time heavyweight world champion found himself in a harrowing situation when the black Lexus he was traveling in collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, Nigeria.

Among those who lost their lives in the crash were Joshua’s long-time friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, whose deaths were confirmed on Monday night. Remarkably, two other passengers in the vehicle survived the ordeal.

According to local police sources speaking to Daily Mail Sport, Joshua is currently in a ‘stable’ condition, having sustained only ‘minor’ injuries. However, there are concerns that the extent of his injuries might be more severe than initially reported.

Insiders reveal that Joshua is expected to remain in the hospital for several more days as he continues to recover from the traumatic incident.

Anthony Joshua will spend New Year’s Eve at one of Nigeria’s best hospitals as he continues to recover from a car crash that killed two of his friends (pictured above after the road incident)

Joshua is being treated at the Duchess International Hospital (pictured above) in Nigeria

The Duchess, named as Nigeria’s best private hospital, says it offers patients one-to-one care for 24-hours a day and has ensuite bathrooms 

Police investigators have confirmed the car crash was caused by a tyre blowout after Joshua’s Lexus ‘lost control’.

According to The Telegraph, traffic police believe the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’ on what locals have claimed is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’. 

An eyewitness has also told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. 

‘Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.

‘Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.’

Footage taken at the roadside showed the boxer grimacing in agony as he was moved from the wrecked vehicle into a police cruiser. 

Nigeria’s president revealed on Monday that Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya had rushed to his bedside at the hospital after being informed of the crash. 

Footage taken at the roadside showed the former world champion boxer grimacing in agony

Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya, pictured with him in 2019, has rushed to her son’s bedside

The luxury hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP patients.

Patients receive one-to-one care 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff.  They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste.  

The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities starts at £2,000.

A representative of Joshua issued a statement on Monday evening confirming the deaths of the boxer’s two team members and ‘close friends’.

The spokesman 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 “Lateef” Ayodele.

‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s 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.

‘Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.

‘No further information will be made available at this time.’

Joshua pictured with friends Latif Ayodele (centre) and Sina Ghami who both died in the crash

AJ looked set to finally face Tyson Fury in 2026 but that heavyweight showdown is in doubt

Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury paid tribute to the two men who were killed during the crash, sharing a post to Instagram on Tuesday.

‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on the social media platform. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’ 

The crash, which occurred at midday local time, came just 10 days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami.

As reported by the Daily Mail on Monday, Joshua had been visiting family in Nigeria as part of a one-week holiday, with a view to resuming training ahead of a fight in late March, most likely in Saudi Arabia against the kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, prior to his proposed showdown against Fury in September or October.

While the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries are currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be in any shape for a quick ring return. There will also be the question of psychological trauma as the ordeal that killed two other passengers in the same vehicle.