BRITISH superstar boxer Anthony Joshua has been injured in a horror car crash that tragically killed two in Nigeria.

The former heavyweight champ, 36, is believed to have sustained minor injuries as a passenger in the terrifying incident near a petrol station on the busy Lagos-Ibadan highway.

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Pictures from the scene show Joshua wincing after the horror crashCredit: Adeniyi Orojo
 

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Crowds gathered around the scene of the incidentCredit: x.com/gbenga_omo/status
 

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The boxer was helped from the mangled wreck by concerned onlookersCredit: x.com/@petezslims
 

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The expressway has been described as one of Nigeria‘s deadliest roads.

The Lexus Jeep carrying Joshua is believed to have swerved into a stationary truck after a tyre burst and it lost control, according to the Times.

Officials say the crash occurred while the vehicle was performing an “overtaking manouevre” and that it was suspected to be travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”.

Five men were reportedly in the vehicle when it crashed and two passengers apparently “escaped unhurt”.

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What we know so far…

The cause of the crash killing two emerges after Joshua is rushed to hospital.
The boxing star is seen smiling in an Instagram video just hours before the fatal accident.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn released a concerned statement after hearing the news on holiday.

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Ogun’s state government reported that the deceased were “two male foreign nationals.”

It is understood no family were on the trip with Anthony Joshua.

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A relative told the BBC that the crash news has “come to the family as a shock”.

They added: “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace.”

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Joshua is believed to have been seated behind the driver at the time of the crash and was reportedly rescued by security personnel travelling with him.

The Sun understands that the boxing star landed in Nigeria for a week’s holiday after just days after his mega-money bout with Youtuber-turned-superstar boxer Jake Paul.

Paul reacted to the tragic crash on X, writing: “Life is much more important than boxing.

“I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Joshua attended a boarding school in Ikenne, 53 miles from where the crash happened, before returning to Britain at age 12.

The former champ is proud of his African heritage and has a map of the continent inked on his right shoulder, with Nigeria clearly outlined.

His relative added: ” He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.”

Emergency responders rushed to the scene as crowds formed around the scene of the fatal accident.

Joshua was taken to hospital for treatment according to Lanre Ogunlowo, commissioner of Ogun State Police.

State police commissioner Langre Ogunluwo said: “I can confirm an accident occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to hospital.

“A vehicle rammed into a stationary vehicle.

“Unfortunately, there were two fatalities”

Dramatic footage shows passersby help a visibly shaken Joshua from the mangled wreck surrounded by shattered glass.

A witness told PUNCH newspaper: “It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.

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Images released by authorities show the SUV’s demolished front-endCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps
 

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The cart carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truckCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps
 

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The vehicle was parked on the busy Lagos-Ibadan highwayCredit: Federal Road Safety Corps
“There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed.

“His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.”

He added: “Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist.

“A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.

“The passenger beside the driver and [the one beside] Joshua died on the spot.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told the Daily Mail that he was away on a family holiday when he woke up to the news.

He added: “We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images.

“We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”

The boxing great posted a video on social media only four hours before showing him enjoying a game of table tennis with friend  Latif Ayodele.

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Shocking footage shows Joshua grimacing after the horror crashCredit: x.com/@therealdaddymo1
 

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Concerned onlookers can be seen helping the boxing great from the mangled wreckCredit: x.com/@therealdaddymo1
 

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The boxing great was driven to hospital by authoritiesCredit: x.com/@therealdaddymo1
The accompanying caption read: “@healthy_mindset dishing out table tennis smoke.”

It comes just days after the heavyweight knocked out Jake Paul, 28, in six rounds while brutally breaking the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s jaw in two places.

The Miami mismatch was viewed by 33million on Netflix – with AJ already lined up for a return in Riyadh in February or March.

The two-time heavyweight champ laboured for long parts of this bizarre match-up with Paul dancing around the ring and not engaging.

A brutal overhand right sealed the deal and shut the loudmouth YouTuber up.

Joshua has beefed back up following the brutal brawl, packing on close to 20 pounds.

AJ shared a snap of himself and one of his pals at the swimming pool to his Instagram story on Christmas Eve.

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Joshua shared a story only four hours agoCredit: Instagram
 

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The video shows him casually playing table tennis shirtless with friend  Latif AyodeleCredit: Instagram
 

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Joshua is pictured with his family in Nigeria at the beginning of this year, with the Lexus reportedly involved in the crash in the backgroundCredit: Instagram
And the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist’s frame looked considerably fuller than it did on fight night.

Joshua, however, joked with 18 million followers that his rapid body transformation may have been the result of AI altering his physique.

His accompanying caption read: “Back up to 260lbs. Some will call it AI.”

The heavyweight recently shared a series of videos of him training back at his old stomping ground – Finchley Amateur Boxing Club – where he first started the sport as an 18-year-old.

AJ could be seen hitting the pads in his first gym – hinting he is already preparing for his next move.

A September showdown with Tyson Fury, 37, is pencilled in with Wembley in line to host.

Fury retired in January one month after his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, but the Gypsy King has continued to tease a comeback.

The two-time heavyweight champion is braced for a comeback bout in April before his potential blockbuster with AJ.

Promoter Frank Warren told SunSport: “I’m told AJ’s definitely fighting in February, so it’s tight and if you’re going to put it on either Wembley or Riyadh, that’s where it would go.

“And I believe Wembley’s the home for it. And if it’s Wembley you’ve got to wait till summer anyway.

“So Tyson is not going to sit around waiting seven months before he steps back in the ring having been out for nearly a year anyway.

“But he won’t be fighting a YouTuber!”

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Warren added: “I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago, because he’s been travelling and it’s simplistic with Tyson, ‘You know, what my requirements are, if they get met, I’ll be there on the night.’

“He’s said he wants to. I know he’s sort of been he training, not training to fight, but he’s been ticking over and keeping himself fairly well.”

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The crash comes just ten days after Joshua’s mega-money brawl with Jake PaulCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

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The Brit needed six rounds before eventually knocking Jake Paul outCredit: Getty
 

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Paul complained AJ caught him on the floor with a knee as the fight descended into a farce