Anthony Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury has broken his silence after the former two-time heavyweight world champion was involved in a tragic car crash on Monday
Tyson Fury has paid tribute after Anthony Joshua was involved in a horrific car crash
Tyson Fury has broken his silence after long-time rival Anthony Joshua was involved in a horrific car crash in Nigeria on Monday.
Joshua, 36, was rushed to the hospital after sustaining ‘minor’ injuries in a horrific crash, in which two of his close friends died. The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion looked to be in sheer discomfort as he was assisted from the crash, with eye-witnesses coming to the aid of those involved.
The Brit’s long-time promoter Eddie Hearn, who is on holiday in the Caribbean, told Mirror Sport that Joshua was ok and heading to hospital, but could not provide more information beyond that. Tributes have been pouring in following the fatal incident – which occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, Ogun State.
Sina Ghami and Kevin Ayodele were killed when their black Lexus Jeep – in which Joshua was also travelling as a passenger – crashed into a stationary red commercial Sinotruck. After hearing of the news, Fury paid his respects on Tuesday. In a story uploaded to Instagram, the Brit shared a post of the confirmation that both Ghami and Ayodele had passed, captioning: ”This is so sad. May god give them a good bed in heaven.” In a separate comment, he wrote: “There is no tomorrow. live, love, and give.”
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A full statement from the Federal Road Safety Corps read: “The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) wishes to confirm a fatal road traffic crash that occurred today Monday, 29 December 2025, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, Ogun State, involving a Lexus Jeep conveying world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, and a stationary truck.
“Preliminary reports from the Ogun Sector Command indicate that the crash occurred at about 1200HRS and was promptly reported to the Corps. FRSC operatives arrived at the scene within three (3) minutes of notification, enabling swift rescue operations.
“The incident involved two vehicles: a black Lexus Jeep with registration number KRD 850 HN (private) and a stationary red commercial Sinotruck with unknown registration number. A total of five adult males were involved in the crash. Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries.
“The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) was duly notified for further investigation and necessary documentation.”
Despite claims that Joshua initially sustained ‘minor’ injuries from the crash, there are concerns his condition may be worse than first thought. As reported by the Daily Mailsources close to the heavyweight star fear the damage could be more severe. The possibility of rib and knee injury were brought up by a person within the fighter’s closely-knit inner circle.
On top of that, Joshua will have to overcome the agonising trauma of witnessing the deaths of his good friends. Both Latif and Sina played influential roles throughout the Brit’s career. Sina – who was a strength and conditioning coach – was even in ‘AJ’s’ team for the heavyweight fighter’s knockout victory over Jake Paul earlier this month.
Mourners leaving tributes outside the gym of Joshua’s coach say it will be “very difficult” for the 36-year-old to continue with his fighting career. Flowers and a lit candle were among the gifts left outside the doors of Evolve Gym in Colindale, north west London, which was owned by Joshua’s tragic friend Ghami – who died in the crash.
Agash Satkunarajah, 26, from Harrow, who had met Sina, stood for several minutes looking at the tributes. He said: “It’s quite devastating to see that they went for a holiday and never came home. For AJ I just don’t know where this takes him. I think mentally he’s going to be broken. AJ used to come here and prepare for his fights. He was a close friend of Sina’s.
“Sina was his very good friend, but he was also his strength and conditioning coach so I think it will be very difficult for him to continue when two of the most important people in your boxing career have passed away sadly.”
It remains to be seen whether Joshua fights again, after hinting at a major 2026 in the ring. Ahead of his return fight against Paul, reports began circulating online that Fury and ‘AJ’ could go head-to-head next summer. The ‘Gypsy King’ retired back in January after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but has been teasing a stunning comeback ever since.
The pair have traded barbs on several occasions over the last few years, but a showdown has never materialised. Just moments after his win over Paul, Joshua quickly grabbed the microphone and called for a fight with his foe. “First of all, I want to give love to the crowd that came out. I really do appreciate everyone in this venue. Look, it was not the best performance. It was not the best. The end goal was to get Jake Paul… pin him down and hurt him,” Joshua began. “That has been the request leading up and that was on my mind. It took a little longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination. Now, Jake Paul… he 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. It takes a real man to do that. Anyone who laces up those gloves, we always say we give them their respect. We have to give Jake his respect for trying and trying and trying. Well done. But… he came up against a real fighter tonight that’s had a 15 month lay-off. We shook off the cobwebs and I cannot wait to roll into 2026.
“And if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come out and fight one of the realest fighters that will take on any challenge. Step in the ring with me next if you are a real bad boy. Don’t do all of that talking ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
Both Joshua and Fury were at each other’s throats ahead of the former’s fight with Paul after the ‘Gypsy King’ branded ‘AJ’ “classless” after he said he could kill the YouTuber-turned-boxer. “I’ve just been sent a video of Anthony Joshua talking about, ‘If he kills somebody, he’d kill somebody in a boxing ring’,” he said. “I think he’s a little bit long in the tooth to be talking s***e like that. He’s 37 years old, at the end of his career fighting a YouTuber, a Disney Channel guy who (Tyson’s brother) Tommy beat.
“And now he’s talking about killing him and all that to try and sell the fight. He’s barking up the wrong tree, idiot. Here’s a fun fact, if I ever come across you, bum, I’m knocking you dead spark out. I ain’t a YouTuber or a man half your size, I am him, the man. You’re a classless loser, coming off a 15-month knockout defeat to a local lad. Imagine if someone from Morecambe knocked me out. You big bum, useless dosser. And I can’t wait if Jake Paul knocks you spark out you big bum.”
