Fears Anthony Joshua’s car crash injuries are worse than first thought: Sources say £100m Tyson Fury mega-fight is in the balance amid potential internal injuries and psychological trauma of seeing close friends killed

Anthony Joshua’s car crash injuries are feared to be worse than thought as his £100million Tyson Fury mega-fight now hangs in the balance, sources say.

The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger when the black Lexus crashed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria.

The death of two of his long-time friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, was confirmed last night, while the other two passengers in the vehicle escaped unhurt.

Local police told Daily Mail Sport yesterday that Joshua had only ‘minor’ injuries and was in a ‘stable’ condition.

But sources close to the fighter say they fear the damage could be more serious than announced.

Although Nigerian authorities have downplayed the extent of damage sustained by Joshua, a member of his inner circle has suggested the possibility of rib and knee injuries.

Footage collected on the roadside shows the boxer grimacing in pain as he is rescued from the crushed vehicle and taken to the police vehicle.

A representative for Joshua released a statement Monday evening confirming the deaths of two of the boxer’s team members and “close friends.”

The spokesperson said: ‘It is with the deepest and deepest sadness that we confirm this following the deaths of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele following a traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today.

In horrific photos taken by eyewitnesses, an SUV can be seen completely destroyed; A Mitsubishi believed to be part of Joshua’s convoy lies undamaged just a few meters away.

Footage posted online showed former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, 36, shirtless and dazed, sitting amid broken glass in a wrecked Lexus SUV.

‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.

‘We respectfully request that families be given space and privacy at this time as we process this truly shocking and devastating news.

‘Anthony was injured in the accident and was taken to hospital for check-up and treatment, his condition is stable and he will remain there for observation.

‘No further information will be released at this time.’

Earlier on Monday night, authorities in Nigeria confirmed to the Daily Mail that Joshua, 36, was ‘alert and conscious and speaking to his family’ after he was rescued from the wreckage of the crash.

A spokesman for the Ogun state government said: ‘Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a private medical facility in Lagos.

‘Following extensive clinical assessments, doctors confirmed that both patients are stable and do not currently require any urgent medical attention. A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.

‘Anthony Joshua is conscious and in contact with his family.

‘The Ogun and Lagos State Governments are monitoring the situation closely and will ensure that those affected receive the best possible medical care. An investigation into the accident has also been launched.

‘We appreciate the public concern and request the privacy of Anthony Joshua and his family at this time.’

While images of the crumpled wreckage of the SUV were released by Nigerian authorities, a Mitsubishi believed to be part of Joshua’s convoy lay undamaged just meters away. A source said a local driver was hired for the trip.

Five people were involved in the collision, and the photographs show that the vehicle was completely destroyed, the doors of the car were removed and the roof was removed.

Footage posted online on Monday showed the former heavyweight world champion shirtless and dazed, sitting among broken glass in the wrecked car.

Two of the three people in the Lexus with Joshua died, the boxer miraculously cheated death and was later seen talking to authorities in the front seat of an emergency vehicle.

Joshua is seen with his friends Latif Ayodele (center) and Sina Ghami, who died in the accident

Just last week, Ayodele shared a photo of herself with Joshua with the caption: ‘Looks like we came back from Miami swimming’

Ghami poses with Joshua before his fight against Jake Paul earlier this month

He finally looked set to face Tyson Fury in 2026, but that heavyweight bout is in doubt

He knocked out Jake Paul in a fight earlier this month, but now it’s unclear if he’ll fight again.

Photo of a truck on the roadside after a deadly crash in Nigeria on Monday

A large vehicle with a tarpaulin covered it on Monday afternoon. It is generally thought that 5 people were involved in the accident.

The car Joshua was driving crashed Monday morning.

The crash, which occurred at noon local time, occurred just 10 days after he defeated Jake Paul in Miami.

Joshua is understood to be visiting his family in Nigeria as part of a week-long holiday to continue training ahead of his planned showdown against Fury in September or October, most likely in Saudi Arabia against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in late March.

While the exact cause of Joshua’s injuries is currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be able to make a quick return. There will also be psychological trauma, such as the ordeal in which two other passengers in the same vehicle lost their lives.

Footage showed that it was the driverless side of the car that collided with the truck on a road 30 miles northwest of Lagos and close to where Joshua attended boarding school as a child. Joshua was in the back of the car, behind the driver’s seat.

Speaking earlier on Monday, promoter Eddie Hearn told Daily Mail Sport: ‘I was on a family holiday and woke up to the news of this incident. We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is doing but thankfully he seems fine from what I’ve seen in the pictures. ‘We are awaiting further information on what happened and will update in due course.’

According to local authorities, initial findings from the investigation showed Joshua’s vehicle exceeded the speed limit and then ‘lost control’ while overtaking another vehicle.

Ogun State Police Commissioner CP Lanre Ogunlowo told Daily Mail Sport: ‘I can confirm that an accident has occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to hospital.

‘It happened on the Lagos-Ibadan highway. A vehicle crashed into a stationary vehicle. Unfortunately, there were two deaths. Anthony Joshua was treated at the scene by first responders and then taken to hospital.’

The Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria released images of the crash scene, which included what appeared to be a large pool of blood next to the destroyed Lexus. The statement stated that 5 people were involved in the accident and said, “Unfortunately, two people lost their lives, one person was injured, and two people escaped uninjured. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and slightly injured.

‘Preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, suspected of going above the legal speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking maneuver and crashed into a stationary truck on the side of the road.

‘Overspeeding and improper overtaking, among the main causes of accidents, constitute serious traffic violations and are among the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents on Nigerian highways.’

The speed limit around the crash site is 50 mph.

An eyewitness told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a convoy of two vehicles: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.

Joshua was sitting behind the driver with another person. There was also a passenger sitting next to the driver, resulting in four passengers in the Lexus that crashed. The security team was in the vehicle behind them before the accident.

‘Other bystanders and I began the rescue and flagged down vehicles approaching to assist. ‘A few minutes after the accident, Federal Road Safety Corps officials arrived.’

Just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared a story on his Instagram account in which he was seen topless while playing table tennis with his long-time friend Ayodele.

Joshua was photographed with his entourage in Nigeria earlier this year; In the background, the Lexus was involved in the accident.

A relative of Anthony Joshua, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC they were ‘shocked’ when they heard the news.

“We hope for a speedy recovery for him and those who lost their lives, and I pray that those who died rest in peace,” they said.

‘Normally he comes here at New Year. ‘We didn’t see him so we were waiting.’

A few hours before the accident, Joshua had shared a story on his Instagram account in which he was seen topless while playing table tennis with his long-time friend Kevin Ayodele.

He accompanied the clip with the message: ‘@healthy_mindset clearing the table tennis smoke.’

Joshua, who has a tattoo on his right shoulder outlining the borders of Nigeria, has long celebrated his ancestors within the African country. He has origins in Sagamu in southwestern Nigeria and attended a boarding school in Ikenne, 85 kilometers from where the crash occurred.

Daily Mail Sport understands that a close family member of Joshua was at his bedside in hospital on Monday.

Responding to the news, Jake Paul posted on social media: ‘Life is much more important than boxing. I pray for the lives lost, AJ and everyone affected by today’s unfortunate accident.’

Joshua has yet to comment publicly.