Post by : Badri Ariffin

Lagos, Nigeria – Anthony Joshua, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has been discharged from the hospital after being involved in a serious car accident in southwestern Nigeria that resulted in the tragic deaths of two of his close friends.

The collision took place on Monday on a bustling highway connecting Lagos and Ibadan, where Joshua’s SUV struck a parked truck. According to statements from Nigerian authorities, Joshua suffered only minor injuries in the incident. Unfortunately, his long-time strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, lost their lives at the scene.

Initial investigations, carried out by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), indicated that the vehicle was speeding and experienced a tyre blowout prior to the crash. The driver, who has since been released from the hospital, is currently under police investigation for alleged reckless driving.

A joint announcement from officials in Lagos and Ogun confirmed Joshua’s discharge late on Wednesday, stating he is "clinically fit enough to recover at home." The boxer showed visible emotion over the tragic loss of his friends, visiting the funeral home with his mother where Ghami and Ayodele's bodies are being prepared for repatriation.

Joshua, who holds British nationality but is of Nigerian descent, was receiving treatment at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos following the accident. Both Lagos and Ogun state governments coordinated his medical assistance from the moment of the incident.

Frequent traveler to Nigeria, Joshua was in the country when the crash occurred. The police released photographs of the badly damaged black SUV involved.

In more recent developments, Joshua scored a knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December 2025, and discussions for a potential match with fellow British champion Tyson Fury are underway. Prior to facing Paul, Joshua suffered a knockout loss against Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

#Global News