Anthony Joshua’s long-awaited £100 million heavyweight fight with Tyson Fury is now seriously jeopardised following a horrific car accident in Nigeria that left the former world champion hospitalised and killed two close allies.

The 36-year-old boxer was engaged in a high-speed mishap on Monday when his Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck.

Joshua was brought to the hospital and is said to be in stable condition.

The incident has cast serious doubt on Joshua’s short- and medium-term boxing prospects, with concerns ranging from physical rehabilitation to the psychological impact of the tragedy.

Joshua’s close circle included childhood friend Latif Ayodele and long-time strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami, both of whom died in the collision.

Both guys were travelling with Joshua and are thought to have perished instantly at the scene.

Joshua, who was sitting in the back of the truck, was extracted from the debris in front of bystanders and transported to safety as emergency personnel arrived. The driver apparently survived the accident.

Joshua’s injuries were characterised by police as mild, however enquiries into the exact cause of the incident are still underway.

Aside from physical damage, Joshua is expected to experience substantial emotional stress. Ayodele and Ghami were key figures on “Team AJ” and had been a part of his professional career for years.

Ghami was prominently featured in Joshua’s corner during his December knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami.

The loss of two valued confidants raises concerns about Joshua’s ability to continue elite competition in the near future.

Joshua was widely expected to return to the ring in early 2026, with promoters envisioning an all-British showdown versus Tyson Fury as the centrepiece of his comeback.

Wembley Stadium had been touted as a potential destination, with September previously mentioned as a possible timeframe.

Promoter Eddie Hearn had stated that once Joshua finished his planned return battle, the attention would transfer to agreeing arrangements with Fury. That deadline is now in jeopardy.

The Joshua-Fury fight has been planned for almost a decade, but it has been constantly postponed due to retirements, contractual issues, title losses, and altered career paths.

Both fighters have since lost to Oleksandr Usyk, making the intended battle a high-value legacy fight rather than a title unification.

Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently claimed that Wembley in 2026 remains the ideal venue, though he admitted that Fury is unlikely to wait indefinitely.

The immediate priority is Joshua’s recuperation. It’s unclear whether the most profitable fight in British boxing history will survive this next setback.

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