Nigerian authorities have revised their assessment of the car crash that claimed the lives of two members of Anthony Joshua's inner circle on Monday.
Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps stated that investigators now believe a tyre blowout triggered the fatal collision on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
"The accident happened as a result of a burst tyre on AJ's vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary lorry parked along the road," he told ESPN.
This contradicts the initial theory from Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps, which suggested the black Lexus Jeep crashed whilst attempting to overtake another vehicle.
Anthony Joshua was injured in a car crash that killed two of his close friends
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The 36-year-old former heavyweight champion remains in hospital following the incident, which killed Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Both men were integral figures in Joshua's professional operation, having worked alongside the British boxer for many years.
Ayodele served as Joshua's personal trainer, whilst Ghami handled strength and conditioning duties for over a decade. Boxing commentator Steve Bunce described them as "two of Joshua's closest friends" and "massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine".
"They've been with him, if not from the start, at least very early on. They are with him all the time," Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Ghami was also a co-founder of Evolve, a London-based gymnasium that announced it would close its doors on 30 December in mourning.
Eddie Hearn has revealed he learned of Anthony Joshua's involvement in a fatal car accident while on a family holiday, stating the boxer appears to be unharmed based on footage he has viewed | XJoshua's promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute on Instagram: "With the heaviest of hearts. Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone."
Reports have emerged suggesting Joshua's injuries may be more serious than initially disclosed.
The Daily Mail claims the Watford fighter's condition is worse than first feared, raising questions about his boxing future.
Prior to the accident, Joshua had been eyeing a third world championship reign following his sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.
Saudi boxing matchmaker Turki Al-Sheikh had expressed confidence in securing a long-awaited showdown between Joshua and British rival Tyson Fury for the latter half of 2025.
However, the injuries sustained in Monday's collision could potentially derail such plans.
A joint statement from the Ogun and Lagos state governments confirmed Joshua "narrowly escaped death" and that he remains stable and conscious whilst receiving treatment.
Anthony Joshua had only recently returned to the ring after beating Jake Paul earlier this month | GETTYNigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally telephoned Joshua and his mother, Yeta Odusanya, to offer his sympathies.
"I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital," Tinubu stated.
The president also confirmed he had spoken with Joshua's mother and the state governor overseeing the boxer's medical care.
Fellow British fighter Chris Eubank Jr expressed his grief, writing: "Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz and Sina and their families. I knew both...they were genuinely good men."
Many boxers have got in touch to convey their grief over those who tragically died in the crash and to offer their thoughts to Anthony Joshua
| PAJake Paul, Joshua's recent opponent, also offered condolences, stating: "Life is much more important than boxing.
"I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident."