Anthony Joshua’s immediate boxing future has been thrown into doubt after a fatal road crash in Nigeria that killed two members of his team and left the former heavyweight champion in hospital for observation, with officials insisting he is stable while people close to the fighter privately fear the injuries may be more serious than first indicated.

The 36-year-old was travelling as a passenger in a black Lexus when it collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria, in an accident that local authorities said involved five people in total.

Two of Joshua’s long-term friends, identified as Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele, were killed. The vehicle’s other two passengers were reported to have escaped without injury.

Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua sustained only “minor” injuries and is “stable”, but sources close to the boxer said they fear the damage could be worse than publicised. One person described the possibility of rib and knee injuries, despite authorities in Nigeria downplaying the severity.

Footage gathered at the roadside showed Joshua grimacing as he was helped out of the wreckage and moved into a police vehicle, according to the report. Images from the scene showed a heavily damaged SUV, with doors torn away and the roof crushed, while another vehicle believed to be part of the convoy was seen nearby and appeared undamaged.

Joshua’s representatives issued a statement confirming the deaths and saying he remained in hospital.

“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,” a spokesman said.

“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.”

“We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.”

The spokesperson added: “Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”

“No further information will be made available at this time.”

Nigerian officials also provided an account of Joshua’s condition, saying he had been moved to a specialised medical facility in Lagos alongside another passenger.

A spokesperson for the Ogun state government said: “Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.”

“Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.”

“A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.”

“Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family.”

“The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that the affected persons receive the best possible medical care. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have also commenced.”

“We appreciate the concern shown by members of the public and kindly request privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family at this time.”

Ogun State Police Commissioner CP Lanre Ogunlowo told the publication: “I can confirm an accident occurred and Anthony Joshua has been taken to hospital.”

“It happened on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A vehicle rammed into a stationary vehicle.”

“Unfortunately there were two fatalities. Anthony Joshua was treated by first-responders at the scene and then taken to hospital.”

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said two people died, one person was injured and two others escaped unhurt, and it described what it said were the initial findings of its investigation.

“Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries,” it said.

It added: “Preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.”

“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways.”

The report said the speed limit in the area is 50mph.

An eyewitness quoted by Punch newspaper described what was said to be a two-vehicle convoy, with one SUV following behind.

“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV,” the eyewitness was quoted as saying.

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

“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 crash has triggered immediate questions about Joshua’s next steps in the ring, with the report describing a mooted £100m mega-fight against Tyson Fury now hanging in the balance, and suggesting the psychological impact of witnessing the death of close friends could also weigh heavily.

The article said Joshua had been in Nigeria visiting family as part of a one-week holiday and had been expected to resume training afterwards, with a fight in late March being discussed, most likely in Saudi Arabia against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, ahead of a possible Fury showdown in September or October.

It added that, while the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries remained unclear, it was “highly doubtful” he would be fit for a quick return to the ring given the scale of the crash and the trauma involved.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking earlier, told Daily Mail Sport: “I am away on a family holiday and awoke to the news of this incident.”

“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 report said preliminary findings indicated Joshua’s vehicle was travelling in excess of the speed limit, lost control while overtaking and then hit the stationary truck. It also said images suggested the impact occurred on the side of the car away from the driver.

Joshua’s wider circle and fans have continued to react as details emerge. A relative, speaking to the BBC and quoted in the report, said: “We are in shock.”

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

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

The report also noted that Joshua had posted to Instagram hours before the crash, sharing a video of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele and adding the message: “@healthy_mindset dishing out table tennis smoke.”

Jake Paul, who the report said Joshua defeated in Miami 10 days before the accident, posted a message after the crash. “Life is much more important than boxing,” he wrote.

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

Joshua has not commented publicly, the report said, and officials in Nigeria requested privacy as investigations continue and the families of the two men killed begin to mourn.