Anthony Joshuas mum rushes to his side as boxer | Boxing News

Anthony Joshua’s mom has reportedly rushed to his bedside at a main Nigerian hospital as he recuperates from accidents suffered in a car crash that tragically took the lives of two of his close mates. Local media sources point out that Joshua is receiving care at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been recognised as Nigeria’s premier non-public medical facility for the past two years. Nigeria’s President confirmed on Monday that Joshua’s mom had reached the hospital to help her son, the previous heavyweight boxing champion.

The 36-year-old is believed to be in a secure condition following his survival of the collision, which claimed the lives of his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal coach, Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Witnesses initially mistook the incident for an explosion due to the thunderous sound of the influence. They also reported that Joshua had voiced considerations about experiencing pain in his leg in the aftermath.

Speaking to Nigerian publication Vanguard, the unnamed eyewitness said: “The bang from the impact jolted everyone, at first, we thought it was another bomb blast. When we realised it was an accident, people rushed down. Some people started videoing the scene, while others opened the doors to see if they could rescue anyone.

“One of the lads who survived shouted that we should always help the people in the next car, saying one of them was Anthony Joshua. Some people did not even know who he was until a man who stopped by said they had been from the same Sagamu.”

Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed in a statement that he had spoken to both Joshua and his mother in a phone call to the hospital where the British boxer was taken following the accident. Tinubu, who is currently out of the country, said he had offered his condolences to Joshua following the death of his friends Ghami and Ayodele.

He said: “I spoke with AJ on the cellphone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wanted him effectively and prayed for him. He assured me that he’s receiving the best care in the hospital.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call. Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention.”

Joshua had been travelling to go to relations when the Lexus SUV he was in collided with a stationary lorry shortly after 11am on Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, southwest Nigeria.

Photographs of the mangled vehicle had been printed by Nigerian authorities, while a Mitsubishi thought to be half of Joshua’s motorcade remained intact just metres away.

Five people had been caught up in the crash, with photos revealing how the motor was completely demolished – with the car’s doorways torn off and the roof crushed past recognition. Eddie Hearn, who serves as chairman of Joshua’s promotional firm Matchroom, was amongst those who paid their respects to the duo following affirmation of their tragic deaths.

“With the heaviest of hearts,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr also penned a touching tribute. He wrote: “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. Rest in Peace boys.”