Anthony Joshua Discharged From Hospital After Fatal Car Accident in Nigeria
Anthony Joshua is discharged from the hospital after a car crash in Nigeria that killed Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, close friends and team members, while he begins recovery at home.
Hospital Discharge for Anthony Joshua After Car Accident
British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital after sustaining injuries in a car crash last Monday in Ogun State, Nigeria. The collision, involving the vehicle he was traveling in and a stationary truck, tragically killed Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, key members of his team and close friends. Nigerian authorities confirmed that Joshua was released Wednesday afternoon, deemed clinically fit to recover at home, though deeply affected by the loss.
Paying Final Respects to Friends and Team Members
Following his discharge, Joshua and his mother visited a Lagos funeral home to pay final respects to Ayodele and Ghami, whose bodies were to be repatriated to the United Kingdom. Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, described the boxer as “heavy-hearted and full of emotions” over the tragedy, emphasizing the close bond Joshua shared with his teammates, who were also personal friends.
Accident Details and Road Safety Context
The crash occurred Monday around 11 a.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, when a Lexus SUV, carrying Joshua as a passenger, collided with a stationary truck. Witnesses reported that the driver and another passenger died on the scene, while Joshua and a fellow passenger sustained minor injuries. Preliminary reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps suggest excessive speed and risky driving maneuvers as potential causes of the accident. The incident has renewed concerns about road safety in Nigeria, which recorded 5,421 fatalities in 9,570 accidents in 2024, according to official data.
Recovery after tragedy
At 36 years old, Joshua had traveled to Nigeria after his knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19, marking his return after a 15-month hiatus. Born to a British father and Nigerian mother, Joshua started boxing at 18 and became an Olympic gold medalist in London 2012. His professional career includes 32 fights, 29 wins (26 by knockout), and four losses, solidifying his status as one of the top heavyweights. The boxer is expected to return to the ring next year against his historic rival Tyson Fury, all while processing the loss of two pillars of his team and close friends.
