ABUJA, Nigeria — Boxing superstar Anthony Joshua was discharged from a Lagos hospital late Wednesday night, Nigerian authorities confirmed, following a car crash on Monday that tragically claimed the lives of two members of his team.
A Harrowing Incident and a Return to Recovery
The two-time former heavyweight champion is now recuperating privately after being treated for minor injuries.
- British boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident near Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday.
- Two of Joshua’s associates, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, died in the crash.
- Joshua received treatment for minor injuries at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos and has since been released.
- The accident has sparked renewed concerns about road safety in Nigeria.
Joshua, the Olympic gold medalist, was involved in the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major thoroughfare linking Ogun state to Lagos, at approximately 11 a.m. local time. The vehicle he was traveling in collided with a stationary truck. Footage circulating on social media showed a visibly shaken Joshua being helped from the wreckage.
Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, stated on X that Joshua was deemed clinically fit to continue his recovery at home after being discharged Wednesday afternoon. “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.
The deceased have been identified as Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, a trainer. Remarkably, just hours before the tragic incident, Joshua and Ayodele shared playful clips on social media of themselves enjoying a game of table tennis.
Earlier Wednesday, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing paid tribute to Ghami and Ayodele. Hearn posted on Instagram: “Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed. Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.”
What are the road safety statistics in Nigeria? According to data from the country’s Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024 – a rise of 340 fatalities compared to the previous year. This accident has brought renewed attention to the issue of road safety in the West African nation, where accidents are unfortunately common.
Joshua recently secured a victory over Jake Paul on Dec. 19, a bout he utilized to refine his fitness as he prepares to contend for future heavyweight titles. The focus now, however, is on healing and mourning alongside his family and team.