What is the Anthony Joshua car crash? The Anthony Joshua car crash happened on 29 December 2025 on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, when the Lexus SUV carrying the boxer collided with a stationary truck during an overtaking manoeuvre. Two members of his team died at the scene, while Joshua suffered minor injuries and was discharged from hospital two days later.
The Anthony Joshua car crash shook the boxing world just twelve days after his knockout win over Jake Paul. It left two of his closest team members dead and put his career on hold for months. This article walks through exactly what happened, who was involved, how Joshua’s injuries and recovery unfolded, and where the ongoing criminal trial of the driver stands as of September 2026. Every fact below is drawn from court records and reporting by outlets including Sky Sports, ESPN, CNN, and Nigerian news agencies.
What Happened in the Anthony Joshua Car Crash?
Anthony Joshua, the British two-time unified heavyweight world champion, was travelling in a two-vehicle convoy in Ogun State, Nigeria, on 29 December 2025. He was in the country visiting family after his win over Jake Paul earlier that month.
The convoy consisted of a Lexus SUV, in which Joshua was riding, and a second Pajero SUV carrying part of his security team behind it. According to eyewitness accounts, Joshua sat in the rear of the Lexus alongside another passenger, with a fourth occupant in the front passenger seat.
At around 11 a.m. local time, the Lexus struck a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near the Makun area of Sagamu. Reports differ slightly on the immediate cause. One eyewitness told Nigerian newspaper Punch that a tyre burst caused the driver to lose control. However, Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and prosecutors later said preliminary findings pointed to the vehicle speeding and attempting a wrongful overtaking manoeuvre before it hit the truck. Both explanations have circulated in reporting, and the exact mechanical cause remains part of the ongoing court case.
Joshua and his team were reportedly on their way to visit his father in Ogun State when the crash happened.
Timeline: How the Crash Unfolded
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the key events, from the crash itself through to the most recent court update:
- 17 December 2025 — Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami.
- 29 December 2025 — The Lexus SUV carrying Joshua crashes into a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Two of his team members die at the scene; Joshua is hospitalised with minor injuries.
- 31 December 2025 — Joshua is discharged from hospital, two days after the crash.
- 2 January 2026 — Driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode is formally charged with four offences and appears at Sagamu Magistrate’s Court, where he is granted bail.
- 4 January 2026 — A funeral prayer service for the two victims is held at London Central Mosque; Joshua flies back to the UK to attend.
- 20 January 2026 — Kayode’s case returns to court and is adjourned to 25 February.
- 29 January 2026 — Joshua releases an emotional YouTube video, speaking publicly about the crash for the first time.
- February–June 2026 — The case is adjourned multiple times (25 February, then to 13 March, then to 2 June) as prosecutors prepare fresh charges.
- July 2026 — Joshua returns to the ring, defeating Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh.
- 4 September 2026 — The evidentiary trial formally opens in Sagamu; Kayode pleads not guilty.
- 10 September 2026 — Proceedings are adjourned again.
- 17 November 2026 (scheduled) — The trial is set to resume.
Who Died in the Anthony Joshua Car Crash?
Two members of Joshua’s team were killed in the crash:
- Sina Ghami — Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach
- Latif “Latz” Ayodele — Joshua’s personal trainer
Both men were described as central, long-serving figures in Joshua’s camp and close personal friends of the boxer. According to an eyewitness account given to Punch newspaper, both died at the scene before rescuers and Federal Road Safety Corps officials arrived. Their bodies were later flown back to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer service was held on 4 January 2026 at London Central Mosque.
Anthony Joshua’s Injuries and Hospital Recovery
Joshua, 36 at the time, sustained what Nigerian police described as minor injuries. He was taken to hospital in Ogun State for treatment and observation alongside another injured passenger.
He was discharged two days later, on 31 December 2025, and subsequently flew back to London ahead of the funerals for Ghami and Ayodele. In the weeks that followed, Joshua largely stayed out of the public eye before releasing a YouTube video on 29 January 2026 in which he spoke about the crash and its emotional toll for the first time. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, later said Joshua would need time away from boxing to process what he called “not just a terrible incident, but one you can never prepare for.”
Who Is the Driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode?
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was driving the Lexus SUV at the time of the crash. He was named and formally charged on 2 January 2026, days after the accident.
| Detail | Information |
| Age | 46 |
| Vehicle driven | Lexus SUV (reported as a Lexus LX570) |
| Charged | 2 January 2026 |
| Bail | ₦5 million (approx. £2,578) with two sureties |
| Plea | Not guilty (denies all charges) |
| Court | Sagamu Magistrate’s Court, Ogun State |
Kayode has not commented publicly on the case beyond his court appearances and has denied all charges against him.
Anthony Joshua Car Crash Trial: Charges and Court Dates
Kayode faces four separate charges connected to the crash:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Reckless and negligent driving
- Driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property
- Operating a vehicle without a valid national driver’s licence
Prosecutors allege Kayode was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the Lexus collided with the stationary truck, and that the FRSC’s preliminary findings suggested the vehicle was speeding at the time.
The case has moved slowly through Nigeria’s Sagamu Magistrate’s Court, with repeated adjournments:
| Date | Court Development |
| 2 Jan 2026 | Kayode arraigned, charged on four counts, granted bail |
| 20 Jan 2026 | Case adjourned to 25 February |
| 25 Feb 2026 | Adjourned to 13 March, to allow prosecutors more preparation time |
| 16 Apr 2026 | Adjourned to 2 June (third adjournment, for a fresh charge sheet) |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Evidentiary trial formally opens; Kayode denies all charges |
| 10 Sep 2026 | Adjourned again |
| 17 Nov 2026 | Trial scheduled to resume |
As of this update, the case remains ongoing, with no verdict yet reached.
How the Crash Affected Joshua’s Boxing Career
The crash came at what should have been a high point in Joshua’s career, just twelve days after he stopped Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. Instead, it forced an extended pause.
Eddie Hearn indicated in the immediate aftermath that Joshua would likely need significant time away from the sport before any decisions about his future were made. Joshua did not fight again for several months. He eventually returned to the ring in July 2026, defeating Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh — his first bout since the crash.
Since that comeback win, Joshua has been linked to a potential heavyweight clash with fellow Briton Tyson Fury, reportedly targeted for November 2026, though the fight has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.
Reactions From Joshua, His Team, and Nigeria’s President
The crash drew reaction from across boxing and Nigerian public life:
- Anthony Joshua posted a tribute image on Instagram captioned “My Brothers Keeper,” alongside a photo showing him with his mother and other family members.
- Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said he learned of the crash while on a family holiday and initially withheld further comment while awaiting details.
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu posted condolences on social media, describing the incident as a “tragic accident.”
- Fabio Wardley, a fellow heavyweight boxer, publicly said Joshua would need time to process the tragedy before deciding on his boxing future.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Anthony Joshua car crash happen?
The crash happened on 29 December 2025, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Was Anthony Joshua seriously injured in the crash?
No. Police and his promoter confirmed Joshua sustained only minor injuries and was discharged from hospital two days after the crash.
Who died in the Anthony Joshua car crash?
Two members of his team died: strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Who was driving the car in the Anthony Joshua crash?
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was driving the Lexus SUV. He was charged with four offences, including causing death by dangerous driving.
What caused the Anthony Joshua car crash?
Accounts differ. An eyewitness said a tyre burst caused the driver to lose control, while Nigerian road safety officials and prosecutors say the vehicle was speeding and attempting to overtake another vehicle before hitting a stationary truck.
Is the driver’s trial over?
No. As of September 2026, the trial is ongoing at Sagamu Magistrate’s Court and has been adjourned to 17 November 2026.
Did the crash end Anthony Joshua’s boxing career?
No. Joshua returned to the ring in July 2026, beating Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, and has since been linked to a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
Conclusion
The Anthony Joshua car crash on 29 December 2025 remains one of the most significant off-ring events of his career — not because of any lasting injury to Joshua himself, but because of the deaths of two men who had worked alongside him for years. Joshua has since returned to boxing, but the criminal case against driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode is still working its way through the Nigerian courts, with the next hearing set for 17 November 2026.
Bookmark this page for the latest Anthony Joshua car crash trial updates, or check out our other coverage of his career and comeback below.
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