British-Nigerian boxing superstar Anthony Joshua survived a deadly road accident on Monday, 29 December 2025, in Makun, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Fresh from a morale-boosting knockout victory in Miami and back in Nigeria to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, the former world heavyweight champion was travelling along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a stretch of road notorious for its heavy traffic and unforgiving conditions. Just after 11 a.m., near the Sagamu interchange in Makun, the journey took a terrifying turn.
The Lexus SUV conveying Joshua slammed into a stationary truck on the highway. The impact was brutal — metal crumpled, glass shattered, and the calm of the morning was ripped apart in seconds. Eyewitnesses watched in shock as the wreckage came to a halt, with a second vehicle — a Pajero SUV carrying Joshua’s security detail — stopping abruptly behind.
What followed was a scene of confusion and heartbreak. As good Samaritans and emergency responders rushed in, the grim reality emerged: two occupants of the Lexus had lost their lives instantly, one seated in front and another beside the boxer.
Amid the devastation, one fact stunned everyone at the scene — Anthony Joshua survived.
Visibly shaken, with minor cuts and bruises, the 36-year-old boxer was pulled from the wreckage alive and conscious. For a brief moment, he sat among twisted metal and dust, shirtless and silent, surrounded by stunned onlookers — images that would soon flood social media and spark global concern. He was quickly moved into another vehicle and taken for medical checks.
As news of the crash spread, reactions poured in from across the world. Fans, fellow athletes, and sports figures expressed relief that Joshua had escaped with his life, even as tributes flowed for those who did not. Many described the survival of the heavyweight star as nothing short of extraordinary — a razor-thin escape that defied odds.
Beyond the shock and sympathy, the accident has once again drawn attention to road safety challenges on Nigeria’s major highways, particularly the Lagos–Ibadan corridor. Authorities, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), sealed off the area and launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
For Anthony Joshua, the road ahead now carries a deeper meaning. While the boxing world watches his recovery, the incident stands as a sobering reminder that even champions are vulnerable — and that sometimes, survival itself is the greatest victory.
