Anthony Joshua will remain hospitalised in Lagos through New Year's Eve as he continues his recovery from a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion was travelling as a passenger in a Lexus when the vehicle collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun on Monday.
Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, both described as integral members of Joshua's inner circle, perished in the collision.
The British boxer was transported to the Duchess International Hospital, which holds the distinction of being Nigeria's top-rated private medical facility for two consecutive years.
Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash that took the lives of two of his friends
|REUTERS
Local authorities have confirmed Joshua's condition as stable, though concerns persist that his injuries may be more serious than initially disclosed.
Nigerian traffic police have attributed the collision to a tyre burst resulting from the vehicle travelling at excessive speed.
Investigators believe the Lexus exceeded the 50mph limit whilst attempting an overtaking manoeuvre on a stretch of road locals consider among the country's most perilous.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, Police Commander of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, confirmed the vehicle "experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed".
Witnesses at the scene described a two-vehicle convoy comprising the Lexus and a Pajero SUV carrying Joshua's security detail.
Nigerian authorities have confirmed that two people have died following the car crash that also left British boxing star Anthony Joshua with minor injuries | XOne eyewitness told Punch newspaper: "Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed."
Bystanders initiated rescue efforts and flagged down passing motorists before Federal Road Safety Corps officials arrived minutes later.
Footage captured at the roadside showed Joshua grimacing in evident pain as rescuers transferred him from the wreckage into a police vehicle.
Nigeria's president disclosed that Joshua's mother, Yeta Odusanya, had hastened to her son's bedside upon learning of the incident.
A representative for the boxer issued a statement on Monday evening: "It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin 'Lateef' Ayodele."
The spokesman added: "Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony's team."
Joshua's long-standing rival Tyson Fury offered his condolences via Instagram on Tuesday, writing: "This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven."
Anthony Joshua had only recently returned to the ring after beating Jake Paul earlier this month | GETTYThe collision occurred merely ten days after Joshua's victory over Jake Paul in Miami, casting significant doubt over his immediate boxing prospects.
The 35-year-old had been visiting relatives in Nigeria during a week-long break, with plans to resume training for a late March bout, likely against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Saudi Arabia.
A subsequent showdown with Fury had been pencilled in for September or October.
Anthony Joshua's boxing career hangs in the balance following his car crash in Nigeria | GETTYWhilst the precise extent of Joshua's injuries remains undisclosed, observers consider a swift return to the ring highly improbable.
Beyond the physical recovery, questions surrounding psychological trauma loom large, given that two fellow passengers in his vehicle lost their lives in the horrific incident.