Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, after being treated for injuries from a serious car crash that killed two of his close friends and team members. The former world heavyweight champion was ruled fit to continue his recovery at home after doctors said he did not require further urgent care.
The crash happened on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in southwest Nigeria during the holiday period. Joshua’s personal trainer and his strength and conditioning coach died in the accident, leaving the boxing world shocked and fans sending messages of support.
Anthony Joshua Left The Hospital Carrying The Weight Of Losing Two Close Friends
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
Anthony Joshua left Lagoon Hospital in Lagos late on Wednesday after being cleared to go home. Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said in a statement shared on X that Joshua had been discharged after being deemed clinically fit to continue his recovery outside the hospital.
The two men who died were long-time members of his team. They were identified as Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach. They were not just part of his professional circle. They were close friends who shared personal moments and off-ring memories with the boxer.
According to officials and local news reports, the Lexus SUV they were traveling in lost control after a tyre burst and struck a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Joshua, who was a passenger, suffered only minor injuries. Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene.
After being discharged, Joshua and his mother went to the funeral home where arrangements were being made to repatriate his friends to the United Kingdom. It was a somber moment, marking a second tragedy for the group in a matter of days.
Fans around the world have expressed sympathy and support for Joshua during this difficult time. Messages poured in on social media from fellow fighters, media personalities, and followers offering thoughts and prayers for the departed and their families, and for Joshua’s emotional recovery.
Police Detained The Driver In Nigeria As The Tragedy Turned Into An Active Investigation
Following the crash, Nigerian police confirmed that the driver of the Lexus SUV has been taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital. Authorities said the vehicle was carrying British boxer Anthony Joshua and his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when it struck a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.
Nigerian police and state officials said that Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries. The Ogun State Police Command said the driver is being held as investigators gather evidence and review the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The driver… is currently in custody in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident,” Oluseyi Babaseyi, a spokesman for the police in Ogun State, told AFP. “Investigations are ongoing.” When asked about possible prosecution, Babaseyi added that the “investigation remains discreet for now.”
Preliminary findings from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency suggested the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed before a tyre burst caused the driver to lose control. For now, the case remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine accountability and next steps.
Published: Jan 1, 2026 05:53 pm