Anthony Joshua Released from Hospital
British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua was discharged from a Lagos hospital on New Year's Eve, just days after a horrific car crash that claimed the lives of two of his long-time team members and close friends. The 36-year-old heavyweight champion, who sustained minor injuries, was deemed fit to recover at home amid widespread condolences from the boxing world.
The accident unfolded on Monday, December 29, 2025, on the bustling Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu in Ogun State. Joshua, a passenger in the backseat of a black Lexus SUV, was en route when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck. Preliminary investigations point to a burst tyre as a potential cause, though Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cited excessive speed and improper overtaking as contributing factors.
Killed in the incident were Sina Ghami, Joshua's strength and conditioning coach for over a decade, and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, a personal trainer described as a brotherly figure to the boxer. Both men were integral to Joshua's career and personal life. Hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele had shared light-hearted social media videos of them playing table tennis.
Joshua, whose parents hail from Nigeria, was rushed to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos for observation. He endured minor injuries but was described as emotionally shattered. On Wednesday, December 31, he was released late in the afternoon after medical clearance.
Immediately after discharge, Joshua, accompanied by his mother, visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay final respects to Ghami and Ayodele. Their bodies were being prepared for repatriation that evening. Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso detailed the poignant moment in a statement: "Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening." Omotoso added that Joshua was "heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss."
A joint statement from Ogun and Lagos states praised the medical team at Lagoon Hospital for their care, noting, "The quality of care and professionalism is truly commendable." Ogun State police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi told the BBC that investigations remain ongoing and "still discreet".
Joshua, a two-time former heavyweight champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist, has deep ties to Nigeria, often visiting for holidays and philanthropy. The boxing community has rallied with messages of support, emphasising resilience in the face of personal loss.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on Joshua's recovery and the families of the deceased.
