British former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to training at the gym as part of his recovery following a devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and members of his boxing team.
The incident occurred on December 29, 2025, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his entourage collided with a stationary truck on a busy road near Lagos, Nigeria. The crash tragically killed strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both of whom were close to Joshua.
Joshua, 36, sustained injuries in the collision but was discharged from hospital two days later and allowed to recuperate at home. Since then, he has shared footage of himself working out; hitting pads, riding a stationary bike, and engaging in other exercises with one clip captioned “mental strength therapy.”
The workout videos mark Joshua’s first public return to training amid a period of intense emotional and physical recovery. The sessions appear to be part of his effort not just to regain fitness, but also to cope with the emotional aftermath of losing two close members of his team.
The boxer, who has Nigerian roots and was in the country on holiday following his recent win over Jake Paul in Miami, has been supported by promoter Eddie Hearn, who emphasized that discussions about Joshua’s boxing future will be postponed until he is ready physically and mentally.
Hearn has publicly stated that, while he believes Joshua will return to the ring eventually, the timing of any future fights is not being rushed. The former champion is being given space to grieve and to decide his next steps at his own pace.
World heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State earlier today, local reports and eyewitness accounts confirm. Two people have been reported dead at the scene, while Joshua sustained only minor injuries and is currently stable.
This incident has sparked major reactions on social media and Nigerian news platforms as fans and observers follow developments involving the British-Nigerian fighter.
According to eyewitnesses and local reports, the crash took place shortly after 11 a.m. on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, close to the Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State.
The Lexus SUV carrying Joshua, reportedly with registration number KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that remain under investigation by authorities.
Emergency responders and bystanders were the first to reach the scene, assisting with rescue efforts and helping to manage traffic along the busy artery.
Police and traffic officials have confirmed that Anthony Joshua received minor injuries and was able to leave the wreckage with help from responders before being taken for medical evaluation.
Tragically, two people died at the crash site, according to multiple eyewitness accounts and reports from local news outlets.
Details about the victims have not yet been released, and authorities are continuing their investigation into both the cause of the crash and the identities of those who died.
At 36 years old, Anthony Joshua is one of the most recognized figures in boxing, known for his two-time world heavyweight championships and Olympic gold medal performance. The fighter has a strong connection to Nigeria due to his family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, which partly explains his presence in the country during this period.
This crash comes just days after Joshua’s highly publicized knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami, a bout that drew massive global viewership on streaming platforms and renewed discussions about his next career steps.
Anthony Joshua defeats Jake Paul by sixth-round knockout in Miami
The heavyweight boxing contest between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul was held on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The bout ended with Anthony Joshua winning by knockout in the sixth round, bringing a clear conclusion to one of the most widely discussed crossover fights of the year.
The fight was streamed worldwide on Netflix, drawing attention from both boxing fans and casual viewers.
Event Overview
Main event: Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul
Date: December 19, 2025
Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami
Weight class: Heavyweight
Scheduled rounds: 8
Broadcast platform: Netflix
Final result: Anthony Joshua wins by knockout
Pre-Fight Conditions
Both fighters entered the ring without reported injuries. The bout was sanctioned as a professional heavyweight contest and scheduled for eight rounds.
Anthony Joshua, a former heavyweight world champion, came in with a clear size and experience advantage. Jake Paul, fighting at heavyweight, stepped up to face his most experienced opponent to date.
Round by Round Fight Report
Round 1
The opening round was cautious. Joshua stayed patient, using his jab to maintain distance. Paul focused on movement and avoided extended exchanges. No major punches landed cleanly.
Round 2
Joshua began pressing forward more confidently. Paul continued to circle the ring and clinch when Joshua closed the distance. The pace remained controlled, with Joshua landing the more effective shots.
Round 3
Joshua took control of the center of the ring. His punches became more frequent and accurate. Paul showed signs of slowing, relying on defense rather than offense.
Round 4
Joshua increased pressure and landed several clean combinations. Paul spent much of the round moving backward and holding to reduce damage. Joshua clearly dominated the round.
Round 5
The turning point of the fight came in Round 5. Joshua landed a strong combination that dropped Paul to the canvas. Paul beat the count but was knocked down again later in the round. He managed to survive until the bell, but appeared unsteady.
Round 6
Early in the sixth round, Joshua landed a powerful right hand that sent Paul down once more. The referee immediately stepped in and stopped the contest, ruling a knockout victory for Anthony Joshua.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: (L-R) Jake Paul fights Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight bout during Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua at Kaseya Center on December 19, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images for Netflix)
Official Fight Result
Winner: Anthony Joshua
Method: Knockout (KO)
Round: 6
Stoppage: Referee intervention
Judges’ scorecards: Not required
Key Fight Observations
Joshua controlled the fight after the early rounds
Paul struggled to handle Joshua’s power and ring control
Multiple knockdowns occurred before the stoppage
The fight ended without controversy because the result was clear from the beginning.
Joshua remained composed throughout the bout, choosing pressure and timing over aggression.
Post Fight Summary
The fight concluded decisively in favor of Anthony Joshua. After a measured start, he dominated the middle rounds and secured a sixth-round knockout.
Jake Paul showed durability by continuing after multiple knockdowns, but the referee’s stoppage ended the contest once it was clear he could no longer safely defend himself.
The Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul fight ended with a clear and official knockout victory for Anthony Joshua. The result reflected the difference in professional experience and heavyweight boxing skill.
The bout closed without dispute and will be recorded as a sixth-round KO win for Joshua.
