The boxing world is holding its breath as former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has reportedly touched down at Stansted Airport, returning to the UK under a cloud of immense grief. The “AJ” who landed on British soil via private jet this weekend is a man forever changed by a harrowing Monday morning on Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. What was meant to be a celebratory New Year’s visit to his ancestral roots in Sagamu turned into a scene of absolute devastation when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his inner circle slammed into a stationary truck illegally parked on the highway.
In a twist that feels like a script from a movie, it has emerged that Joshua escaped death by a matter of inches thanks to a last-minute decision. Moments before the impact, the driver reportedly asked the 6ft 6in powerhouse to move from the front passenger seat to the rear because his massive frame was blocking the wing mirror. That simple request likely saved the champion’s life. Tragically, the impact took the lives of his closest confidants: strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele. While Joshua walked away with only minor physical injuries, the emotional scars of losing his “brothers” in the wreckage are clearly visible as he prepares for their funerals in London this Sunday.
As the champion begins his recovery at his UK home, the legal fallout in Nigeria is just beginning. The driver of the vehicle, a long-time member of Joshua’s logistics team, now faces serious charges including causing death by dangerous driving and operating without a valid license. While the defense claims a catastrophic brake failure caused the SUV to spin out of control, the incident has reignited a fierce national debate in Nigeria over road safety and the danger of heavy-duty trucks parked on major transit veins. For now, the gloves are off and the focus is entirely on healing, as a grieving champion says a final goodbye to the men who stood in his corner through his greatest battles.
