Tag: Anthony Joshua

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Fatal crash: Police arrest Joshua’s driver after boxer discharged

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Kayode Adeniyi, the 47-year-old driver of the ill-fated Lexus SUV that crashed on Monday, killing two of Anthony Joshua’s closest friends, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Adeniyi, a long-standing member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team, was discharged from the hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve and driven two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where the fatal crash occurred.

Police sources revealed that Adeniyi is expected to be charged with reckless driving within 48 hours, though the bank holiday may delay proceedings.

“The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning. He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash,” a police source told Daily Mail.

Adeniyi was allegedly driving way over the 65mph speed limit for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when he lost control after a tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre near Danco.

The Lexus, carrying Joshua and two of his training staff, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, smashed into an illegally parked truck, which was carrying soya beans.

The force of the impact tore the nearside section of the car away. Ghami, 36, a British citizen, and Ayodele, 36, a Nigerian/British citizen, were killed instantly, while Joshua and Adeniyi suffered only minor injuries.

Joshua was sitting behind the driver and escaped death by inches, with local first responders describing his survival as a “miracle”.

The Lagos and Ogun state governments on Wednesday announced the discharge of Anthony Joshua from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recuperation from home.

According to a joint statement signed by Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos on Wednesday to pay their final respects to the two late friends.

The bodies were flown out of Lagos on a Turkish Airlines cargo flight that landed in Istanbul early on New Year’s Day and are expected to fly on to London.

Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed deep appreciation to members of the public for the overwhelming concern, prayers and show of love following the sad incident.

They also conveyed their gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what they described as his fatherly support throughout the period and commended the doctors and medical personnel at Lagoon Hospital for their professionalism. (Punch)

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Tinubu speaks with Anthony Joshua after Ogun accident

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with Nigerian-British heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, over a tragic road accident in Ogun State in which the boxer was injured and lost two of his associates.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President personally reached out to Joshua via a telephone call to express his condolences and offer prayers following the incident.

“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”, the statement quoted the President to have said.

The President also extended his concern to Joshua’s family, noting that he contacted the boxer’s mother to offer prayers and support. Tinubu added, “I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call.”

Providing further assurance on the Federal Government’s concern, the President disclosed that he also spoke with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was present at the hospital where Joshua was receiving treatment.

Tinubu said, “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.”

PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu, who is currently abroad, had earlier taken to his official X account to express deep sympathy to the boxer and his family over the accident, which occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

In the statement, the President wrote, “I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident.

As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.”

He further called for unity and mutual support during moments of grief, stating, “In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.”

Tinubu also offered prayers for Joshua’s recovery and for the repose of the souls of the deceased associates. He said, “I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.” (Punch)

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Anthony Joshua stable in Lagos hospital after fatal crash

The Ogun and Lagos State governments have confirmed that British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and another survivor of Monday’s road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway are currently receiving medical care at a specialised hospital in Lagos.

In a joint statement issued by Commissioner, Information, Lagos State, Gbenga Omotosho, and Special Adviser, Information, Ogun State, Kayode Akinmade, on Monday, the two state governments said the accident involved a vehicle conveying Joshua and three others, which collided with a stationary truck, resulting in two fatalities.

“The vehicle conveying the team of four ran into a stationary truck, resulting in two fatalities,” the statement said.

The governments expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and assured the public that investigations were underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“We sympathise with the families of those involved in the accident, and pray that God will grant them the strength to go through this difficult time,” the statement added.

According to the statement, Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated from the scene to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where they underwent several clinical assessments.

“Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised facility in Lagos.

“Doctors have conducted several clinical assessments and have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency interventions at this time,” the governments said.

It added that a comprehensive medical team had been convened to closely monitor their condition.

“Anthony Joshua has since been relating well with his family,” the statement noted.

The governments of both states said they were closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the injured persons receive optimal medical attention.

“The governments of Ogun and Lagos are keenly monitoring the situation and will ensure that the two persons receive the best medical care,” the statement said, while also noting that investigations into the crash had commenced.

The authorities also appealed for privacy for the boxer and his family. “We appreciate the public’s concern and ask for privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family during this time,” the statement said.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the accident occurred shortly after 11am on Monday at Makun, Ogun State, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. (Punch)

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Joshua knocks out Paul to win Netflix boxing bout

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in their controversial Netflix-backed bout in Miami on Friday.

Two-time world champion Joshua made hard work of defeating his vastly less experienced opponent, but finally made his superior size and power count in the later stages of the eight-round fight.

A mediocre contest at the Kaseya Center — with the two men reportedly splitting a mammoth purse of $184 million — descended into farce at times, with Paul repeatedly dropping to the canvas and grappling at Joshua’s legs.

At one stage even referee Christopher Young appeared to be losing patience, warning the fighters in the fourth round: “The fans did not pay to see this crap.”

As Paul tired, Joshua finally began to land punches with more regularity and after knocking down the American twice in the fifth round the end came swiftly in the sixth.

Joshua backed the 28-year-old into a corner and after teeing up Paul with a crunching left, delivered the knockout blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas.

“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua, 36, admitted afterwards. “But the end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him.

“That was the request leading up, and that was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected but the right hand finally found its destination.”

Joshua meanwhile praised Paul for lasting into the later rounds.

“I want to give him his props — he got up time and time again,” Joshua said. “It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way. It takes a real man to do that.”

Paul, meanwhile, his mouth bloodied from Joshua’s final assault, said he believed his jaw had been broken — but was satisfied with his performance.

“That was fun. I gave it my all,” Paul said. “I had a blast. I think my jaw is broken by the way. But Anthony’s one of the best to ever do it so. I’m gonna come back and get a world championship.

“I just got tired to be honest — like it was so much handling his weight. I think with better cardio I could have kept it up and kept on fighting. But he hits really hard.”

Friday’s made-for-streaming contest, which came just over a year after Paul had fought a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-derided Netflix fight, had triggered alarm across boxing given the disparity in size and experience between the two men.

Yet the devastating first or second round knockout by Joshua that most had predicted failed to materialize as Paul scrambled desperately to stay outside of the 2012 Olympic champion’s range.

Joshua, fighting for the first time in 15 months, always looked the more threatening fighter though, landing 48 of 146 punches thrown compared to Paul’s meagre total of 16 punches landed. (JapanToday)

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YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to fight two-time world champion Anthony Joshua on Dec. 19

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will fight recent world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a professional bout on Dec 19.

The heavyweight bout, which will consist of eight three-minute rounds, will take place at Kaseya Center in Miami and will be streamed live on Netflix.

It will be the toughest fight yet for the 28-year-old Paul, who has a 12-1 record (7 KOs) and last fought in June when he beat former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision.

“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” Paul told Netflix. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime.

“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted.”

Joshua is a two-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist, but the 36-year-old hasn’t fought since losing to Daniel Dubois in an IBF title fight in September 2024.

“Jake or anyone can get this work,” Joshua said. “No mercy. I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected … I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.” (JapanToday)

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Joshua, Paul reach agreement over 2026 bout

Nakisa Bidarian has revealed that Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are still set to fight, despite numerous setbacks.

Paul and Joshua were believed to be in advanced talks, with a date pencilled in for the pair to clash in early 2026.

Although the Ring Magazine reported in August that they were facing difficulties with broadcasting rights, due to the Brit having an exclusive deal with DAZN.

Shortly after that, the announcement came that Paul would be meeting Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout instead of fighting Joshua.

As the YouTuber-turned-boxer now gears up to meet Davis on November 14, the promotional tour began on Monday night in New York.

Despite it being the launch press conference for the bout between Paul and Davis, questions were unsurprisingly circulating regarding the former’s plans to fight Joshua.

Most Valuable Promotions’ co-founder, Bidarian, confirmed to assembled media that a fight between the rivals is still on the cards.

Bidarian reiterated: “We have an agreement in principle.”

After a Seconds Out host furthered the questioning to clarify what he meant by that, Bidarian responded: “To fight each other.”

Paul made it clear that this would still be the case, after he took to social media to reveal his plan to first ‘kill David’ and then ‘slaughter Goliath’. (Punch)

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Joshua eyes Ronaldo signing with new football agency

Anthony Joshua and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn are building a new football agency, with the ambitious goal of attracting top-tier players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The venture, driven by Joshua’s vision and backed by Hearn’s Matchroom Sport, aims to offer a 360-degree service for footballers, covering everything from transfers and sponsorships to lifestyle management and long-term career planning.

 “We’ve been fine-tuning the plans for months,” Hearn told the Daily Mail.

 “AJ went and posted about it on Instagram, and everything went mental, players, clubs, sponsors, media, everyone came to us.”

The agency is targeting elite talent, with Hearn making clear their intention, “I’m not interested in representing a couple of lower league players. I want to enter at the highest level.”

Joshua’s profile, especially in the Middle East, is already opening doors. He has spoken with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo on multiple occasions in Saudi Arabia, as CR7 turns out in that region for Al-Nassr, with it being that standard of player that is being targeted.

Hearn added, “AJ can speak to any player he wants. One of the biggest challenges agencies face when recruiting players is simply getting in front of them. AJ can get in front of any player in the world tomorrow. In fact, players are already speaking to him.

“He’s had discussions. They know what we do. How good Matchroom is, and they know the power AJ has. AJ’s post certainly pricked up a few ears from those big names. A lot of people are interested already.

“Ronaldo didn’t DM me, but let’s just say a few eye emojis popped up. Quite a few high-profile players sent them. They weren’t saying they were signing with us tomorrow, but they were definitely showing interest. There are conversations to be had, for sure.”

There’s no confirmed launch date, but the duo are preparing to disrupt football management just as they have in boxing and darts. (Punch)