Anthony Joshua crash casts doubt over £100m Tyson Fury showdown

Anthony Joshua’s long-mooted £100m heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury is now under serious threat following a fatal road accident in Nigeria that left the former world champion hospitalised and claimed the lives of two close associates.

The 36-year-old boxer was involved in a high-speed collision on Monday when the Lexus SUV he was travelling in crashed into a stationary truck.

Joshua was rushed to hospital, where he is reported to be in a stable condition.

The incident has injected major uncertainty into Joshua’s short- and medium-term boxing future, with concerns extending beyond physical recovery to the psychological impact of the tragedy.

Fatal accident claims close associates

Two members of Joshua’s inner circle, childhood friend Latif Ayodele and long-time strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami, were killed in the crash.

Both men were travelling alongside Joshua and are believed to have died instantly at the scene.

Joshua, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, was pulled from the wreckage in front of onlookers and escorted to safety as emergency services arrived. The driver reportedly survived the incident.

Police officials have described Joshua’s injuries as minor, but investigations into the exact cause of the crash remain ongoing.

Emotional and professional fallout

Beyond physical injuries, Joshua is expected to face significant emotional strain. Ayodele and Ghami were integral figures within “Team AJ” and had been part of his professional journey for years.

Ghami was notably present in Joshua’s corner during his December knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami.

The loss of two trusted confidants raises questions over Joshua’s readiness to resume elite competition in the near future.

Fury fight timeline now uncertain

Joshua had been widely expected to return to the ring in early 2026, with promoters positioning an all-British blockbuster against Tyson Fury as the centrepiece of that comeback.

Wembley Stadium had been identified as a potential venue, with September previously discussed as a possible window.

Promoter Eddie Hearn had indicated that once Joshua completed his planned return bout, focus would shift squarely to finalising terms with Fury. That timeline is now at risk.

A rivalry long delayed

The Joshua-Fury matchup has been over a decade in the making, repeatedly derailed by retirements, contractual disputes, title losses and shifting career trajectories.

Both fighters have since suffered defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, leaving the proposed bout as a high-value legacy fight rather than a title unification.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren recently stated that Wembley in 2026 remains the preferred option, though he acknowledged that Fury is unlikely to wait indefinitely.

For now, the immediate priority is Joshua’s recovery. Whether the most lucrative fight in British boxing history survives this latest setback remains an open question.