Mr Adedamola Joshua, uncle of world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has said news of the road crash involving the boxer came as a rude shock to the family.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at the family house in Ijokun, Sagamu, Ogun State, Joshua said relatives had no prior information about the incident and only became aware after receiving multiple phone calls from concerned acquaintances.
He explained that callers sought confirmation after already hearing reports of the accident, a delay that heightened fear and anxiety within the extended family. According to him, the Sagamu community was also deeply shaken by the incident involving one of its most celebrated sons.
“People could not believe such a terrible accident could happen to Anthony,” he said.
The uncle noted that Anthony Joshua maintains strong ties with his roots and visits Nigeria several times a year, often spending time with relatives whenever he comes to Sagamu.
He disclosed that family members have not been able to see the boxer since the crash, as he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in Lagos, a decision he said was understandable given Joshua’s global profile and security concerns.
Joshua added that the family has remained in contact with the boxer’s parents, who are also in Nigeria, and were assured that he is stable and responding well to treatment.
He expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of two close friends and trainers who lost their lives in the crash, describing the loss as painful to both the family and the wider boxing community. He prayed for strength and comfort for the families of the deceased.
“Sincerely, the news came as a rude shock to us all. We did not hear early; we only knew after calls started coming from everywhere. We have tried to reach him, but his status makes direct access impossible,” he said.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident on Monday. The Ogun State Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Mr Afolabi Odunsi, said the crash occurred around noon along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking, adding that the vehicle rammed into a stationary truck, leading to fatalities and injuries.