Nigerian authorities have reported that champion boxer Anthony Joshua is in stable condition after surviving a devastating car accident that tragically claimed two lives.

The 36-year-old sports icon was en route to visit family when the Lexus SUV he was riding in collided with a stationary truck. The accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Makun in southwestern Nigeria.

Officials have shared images of the heavily damaged SUV, showcasing the severity of the crash. Meanwhile, a Mitsubishi vehicle, believed to be part of Joshua’s convoy, remained unscathed just a short distance away from the wreckage.

A total of five individuals were involved in the collision. Gruesome photos capture the vehicle’s extensive damage, including doors torn off and the roof caved in.

The Ogun State government released a statement confirming, “Anthony Joshua and another passenger were swiftly transported to a specialized medical facility in Lagos.”

‘Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.

‘A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.’

Footage also taken from the scene showed the champion boxer giving a thumbs up as officials crowd the wreck of the car. 

Anthony Joshua pictured after the car crash in Nigeria on Monday which killed two people. The Champion boxer came within inches of death in the crash

An SUV can be seen completely totalled in grim pictures taken by eyewitnesses, while a Mitsubishi believed to be part of Anthony Joshua’s convoy sits undamaged just yards away 

Footage posted online appears to show former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, 36, shirtless and looking dazed as he sits in a wrecked Lexus SUV among shattered glass

One man could be heard repeating Joshua’s name, as locals were left stunned by the appearance of the British athlete – who beat Jake Paul in a major fight just a few days prior.

Two of the three people who were in the Lexus alongside Joshua died. The boxer miraculously cheated death and was later seen in the front seat of an emergency vehicle speaking to officials.

The Ogun State Government confirmed the two fatalities were ‘foreign nationals’.

‘Preliminary reports indicate that two male foreign nationals died on the spot,’ they said.

‘Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.’ 

It is understood that Joshua was seated behind the driver, next to another passenger, when the crash occurred. His security detail followed behind the Lexus.

Local police are investigating the incident, but conflicting reports on how the crash happened have emerged from official sources. 

The Federal Road Safety Corps said the SUV is believed to have been travelling ‘beyond the legally prescribed speed limit’ and lost control while making ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’, before crashing into a truck parked on the side of the road.

But Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN: ‘The accident happened as a result of a burst tire on AJ’s vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road.’ 

A friend of the star said that ‘he’s okay but badly shaken up’. 

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Daily Mail Sport just hours after footage of the boxer appeared online: ‘We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears okay from what I have seen in the images. 

‘We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.’  

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

He is later seen sitting in the front seat of an emergency vehicle, speaking to officials. The star cheated death in a horror car crash in Nigeria on Monday, escaping with minor injuries while two other passengers were killed

‘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.’ 

Jake Paul, Joshua’s recent rival, tweeted following the news of the crash: ‘Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.’

Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offered his sympathies following the deadly crash. 

He said in a post on X: ‘This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season. I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. 

‘As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.

‘I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.’

The heavyweight has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, and has a tattoo of Africa on his right shoulder.

He is believed to have been on holiday and on the way to see relatives when the accident occurred.

A relative of Anthony Joshua, who asked not to be named, told the BBC they were in ‘shock’ upon hearing the news.

‘We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace,’ they said.

‘He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.’

Joshua had posted a story on his Instagram account four hours ago, where he is seen topless in a video playing table tennis with his long-time friend Kevin Ayodele.

A truck pictured at the side of the road following the fatal collision in Nigeria on Monday

A large vehicle pictured with a tarpaulin draped over it on Monday afternoon. Five men are believed to have been involved in the crash overall

He accompanied the clip with the message: ‘@healthy_mindset dishing out table tennis smoke.’ 

Joshua was expected to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February after his sixth-round knockdown of YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami this month. 

He had flown back to Britain after his knockout victory before his pre-planned trip to Nigeria where he was expected to stay for a week. 

Joshua pocketed a reported £70million from his fight with Paul, which was viewed by more than 30 million people on Netflix. 

The father-of-one, as expected, emerged triumphant – breaking his opponent’s jaw in two places ahead of the final knock-out, although later said he should have won sooner.

Joshua gave Paul credit while speaking to reporters after his victory, admitting it took him ‘a bit longer than expected’ to stop the American.

‘It wasn’t the best performance,’ he said.

‘The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request and that was on my mind. Took a bit longer than expected but the right hand found the destination.

The stationary truck which the car Anthony Joshua was travelling in hit on Monday morning

A picture of a truck which was posted on Instagram by his strength and conditioning coach before the group set off

Joshua had posted a story on his Instagram account four hours ago, where he is seen topless in a video playing table tennis with his long-time friend Kevin Ayodele

‘Jake Paul has done really well tonight, I want to give him his props. He got up, time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way through.

‘You have to give Jake his respect for trying, trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight that’s had a 15-month lay-off.’

An Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested.

‘Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families.’