British heavyweight and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua was driving in a rushing Lexus and survived a crash Monday morning in Nigeria that killed two others, authorities mentioned.
The deadly incident occurred at about 11 a.m. native time on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in Makun, Ogun State, within the far southwest nook of Nigeria, police mentioned.
Ogun State Police Command mentioned Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus SUV whereas the Federal Highway Security Corps (FRSC) known as the 36-year-old boxer’s automotive a Lexus Jeep.
That Lexus was concerned within the accident “beneath circumstances which might be at present being investigated,” in line with an Ogun State Police Command assertion.
The Lexus slammed right into a stationary truck, the Federal Highway Security Corps (FRSC) mentioned.
“Preliminary findings point out that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling past the legally prescribed pace restrict on the hall, misplaced management throughout an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed right into a stationary truck effectively packed by the aspect of the highway,” in line with an FRSC assertion.
Joshua escaped with solely minor accidents, police mentioned.
“He was seated within the rear of the car, sustained minor accidents and receiving medical consideration,” in line with the police assertion. “Tragically, two different passengers within the car misplaced their lives on the scene. ”
Joshua burst on to the world stage on the 2012 London Olympics when he received superheavyweight gold for gold for Britain.
However American audiences would possibly know him greatest for his decisive Dec. 20 win over social media star-turned boxer Jake Paul, in a Netflix bout watched by about 33 million folks.
A consultant for Joshua could not instantly be reached by NBC Information for touch upon Monday.
Joshua (29-4) had received 24 of his first 25 professional fights after retaining the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles with a ninth-round knockout of Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Dec. 12, 2020 in London.
He then suffered consecutive losses to Ukranian Oleksandr Usyk — first on Sept. 25, 2021 in North London after which once more on Aug. 20, 2022 in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier than the Paul bout, Joshua had one other title shot on Sept. 21 final 12 months in London, however defending IBF champ and fellow Brit Daniel Dubois dominated with a fifth-round knockout.