Anthony Joshua is “responding to treatment” in hospital following a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends, according to his family. The 36-year-old former world heavyweight boxing champion is expected to stay at Duchess International Hospital, where he is currently described as “stable”, until the New Year.

His mother, Yeta Odusanya, has been by his side, but other family members have not yet been permitted to visit him at the private hospital in Lagos. Following the crash, which tragically took the lives of his best friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, both 36, around midday on Monday, Joshua reportedly said: “I feel pain all over my body”.

David Joshua, an older brother of Joshua’s father Robert, stated: “We have not been allowed to see him, but from information given by authorities, he is responding to treatment.” Another uncle of the boxer, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed that the renowned sportsman had been in Nigeria for less than six hours when the tragedy occurred, reports the Mirror.

The three men were en route to the Nigerian city of Sagamu, in the south-west of the country, to spend the festive season with Joshua’s family. Adedamola expressed: “The incident shook our family deeply. Though our son, Anthony, is alive, two of his friends, who came to celebrate with us, lost their lives.

“This is a serious tragedy, not only for our family, but for Ogun State, Nigeria, and the world at large. We are deeply saddened that two people very close to Anthony did not survive. Our hearts are with their families.”

Mr Adedamola also called on authorities to allow limited family access to Joshua. He emphasised the family’s eagerness yet respect for security and medical protocols. His comments came after friends of Joshua expressed concerns that the Olympic gold medallist may be permanently affected by the accident.

While his physical injuries from Monday’s horrific crash are less severe than initially feared, there are worries that he might struggle with the psychological impact of the incident. There are also fears that without the support of his strength and conditioning coach Sina and personal trainer Latif, he may not feel equipped to continue his career.

Lindsey Jacobs was among the many mourners who left flowers and written tributes to Sina at his gym in Colindale, North West London, yesterday. Joshua, affectionately known as AJ, had been spotted there with him just hours before their flight to Nigeria on Saturday.

Caterer Lindsey, whose daughter is friends with the trio, said: “How AJ is going to cope without them I don’t know. I don’t think he can go on without his two best mates. They were best friends. Like family. The three of them were inseparable. They went everywhere together. He relied on them for everything. I don’t think he’s going to cope with this. It’s like both his arms have been cut off.”