Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people, authorities confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred on one of the country’s busiest highways and is currently under investigation.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, released an official statement confirming that Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, both close friends and members of Joshua’s team, were killed in the crash. According to reports from the BBC, the two men worked closely with Joshua for years and shared a strong personal bond with the former champion.

Local media reports cited by Reuters and the BBC said Joshua, 36, was taken to a nearby hospital following the two-vehicle collision. The accident happened early Monday morning, Dec. 29, on the heavily trafficked Lagos-Ibadan expressway, when the vehicle Joshua was riding in struck a stationary truck. Joshua, who was seated in the back of the vehicle at the time, suffered minor injuries.

Matchroom Boxing later confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Joshua is in stable condition and remains hospitalized for observation. Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that five men were involved in the accident. Two people died at the scene, two escaped without injury, and Joshua sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

“Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment,” the statement read. “He is in stable condition and will remain there for observation.”

The 258 Group, referenced in the statement, is described on LinkedIn as the portfolio of companies within Anthony Joshua’s broader business operations, encompassing his commercial and brand ventures outside the ring.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, and no further details have been released. Joshua has not yet commented publicly on the incident.

The accident comes shortly after a major moment in Joshua’s boxing career. In his most recent fight, he returned from a 15-month layoff to defeat Jake Paul, knocking him out in the sixth round of their highly anticipated bout on Dec. 19 in Miami. The victory marked a strong comeback for Joshua and renewed interest in his future in the heavyweight division.

Looking ahead, Joshua is widely expected to face long-time rival Tyson Fury in 2026, a matchup that would be one of the most significant events in modern heavyweight boxing. For now, however, the focus remains on his recovery and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident.