Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital in Lagos on New Year’s Eve, three days after a car crash that killed two members of his inner circle. Within hours of doctors clearing him to recover at home, Joshua and his mother went directly to a funeral home to pay their respects.

The visit came as tributes continued to pour in from across boxing, while authorities in Nigeria pressed ahead with investigations into the crash that cut short a holiday trip meant to celebrate a recent return to the ring.

The Crash on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway

On December 29, 2025, Joshua travelled as a rear passenger in a black Lexus SUV on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. Around 11 a.m. local time, the vehicle struck a stationary lorry parked along the roadside near Sagamu. The impact killed two of Joshua’s close friends who had worked alongside him for years.

Sina Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach and helped shape his training for over a decade. Kevin Latif Ayodele, often known as Latz, worked as his personal trainer and appeared frequently in his social media posts. Joshua suffered minor injuries and was taken to a Lagos hospital for monitoring, while the driver also received treatment.

Investigation and Official Response

Preliminary findings from road safety officials pointed to excessive speed and a possible tyre burst during an overtaking attempt. Police said the lorry was parked illegally and confirmed that the driver fled the scene. Officers later located the vehicle, launched a manhunt, and discharged Joshua’s driver after he gave a statement.

Officials from Lagos and Ogun states issued updates on Joshua’s condition and thanked medical staff involved in his care. The incident renewed attention on road safety in Nigeria, where major highways record frequent and often fatal crashes.

Discharge from Hospital

Doctors deemed Joshua clinically fit for discharge on December 31, and authorities confirmed he would continue his recovery at home. Statements released that evening described him as physically stable but emotionally shaken by the loss of his friends.

Joshua expressed gratitude to the medical teams who treated him and others injured in the crash. He did not issue a personal public statement, and those close to him asked for privacy for the families affected.

Soon after leaving the hospital, Joshua and his mother went to a Lagos funeral home as staff prepared the bodies of Ghami and Ayodele for repatriation to the United Kingdom. The quiet visit stood in contrast to the global attention surrounding the crash and underscored the depth of the loss.

Joshua had been in Nigeria visiting family after a knockout win earlier in December. As the boxing world continues to send condolences, his immediate focus remains on mourning two men who played central roles in his life beyond the ring.

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