Boxer Anthony Joshua hospitalized after car accident in Nigeria, two others dead

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car crash along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, north-east of Lagos, near the Sagamu Interchange

Five men were in the car when it collided with a stationary truck by the side of the road, officials say.

The Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria says the car - a Lexus Jeep - was suspected of travelling over the speed limit and crashing while overtaking

Two people died in the crash, while Joshua was rescued alive, sustaining minor injuries, and two others escaped unhurt

Pictures released by the road safety corps show the site of the crash. Officials say police were at the scene within three minutes of being notified of the incident

One of Joshua's relatives tells the BBC that news of the crash came as a "shock" to the family. "We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away - I pray for the departed to rest in peace," the relative adds

The boxer was travelling from Lagos to the family home, according to the relative

Anthony Joshua's car crash comes shortly after his heavyweight victory over YouTube star Jake Paul on 19 December.

Joshua, who had been out of the ring since defeat by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, broke Paul's jaw in two places during the six-round victory in Miami.

The fight earned the 36-year-old Briton a share of a reported £210 million purse.

The bout, streamed on Netflix, was criticised by some, given Paul was a relative novice, and smaller than Joshua.

Joshua said he was "not worried" about the integrity of the fight, and the "whole point of it" was to "create conversation".

The accident happened this morning, when Joshua was travelling along a very busy expressway, seemingly in the back seat of a Lexus.

The road is commonly known as the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and local media have described it as one of Nigeria's deadliest roads.

The Lagos-Ibadan expressway connects Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, and Lagos, Nigeria's largest city. It spans 127 km (79 miles).

It gets particularly busy during this time of year as many Nigerians travel back to the country from the diaspora to celebrate the festive period.

Anthony Joushua, Nigerian heritage

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born in Watford, England, but has often spoken proudly about his Nigerian heritage

The Joshua family is well known in Sagamu, in south-west Nigeria, and traces its ancestry there across several generations.

His great-grandfather, Daniel Adebambo Joshua, was a wealthy landowner and merchant, who is believed to have taken the Joshua surname after converting to Christianity.