British boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital following a car crash near Lagos that resulted in the tragic deaths of two of his associates. The incident occurred on Monday, and Joshua, a two-time former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, was under observation at Lagoon Hospital while recovering from minor injuries.
On Wednesday evening, Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos state commissioner for information, confirmed Joshua’s discharge after he was declared clinically fit to continue his recovery at home. Joshua’s promoter had reported on Monday that the boxer sustained minor injuries in the accident, but he was expected to make a full recovery.
Joshua’s close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were killed in the crash. Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was one of his trainers. Just hours before the accident, Joshua and Ayodele had shared videos on social media playing table tennis together, showcasing their camaraderie.
In a statement, Omotoso noted that Joshua and his mother visited the funeral home in Lagos on Wednesday afternoon to pay their final respects to Ghami and Ayodele. Their bodies are scheduled for repatriation later that evening.
The accident has raised significant concerns about road safety in Nigeria, a country where traffic fatalities are alarmingly high. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, marking an increase of 340 fatalities compared to the previous year.
Joshua, who recently secured a victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19, 2024, was using that bout to enhance his fitness as he prepares to compete for future boxing titles. The recent tragedy, however, has overshadowed his sporting achievements and has drawn attention to the urgent need for improved road safety measures in the region.
As the boxing community and fans express their condolences, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on Nigerian roads and the personal toll such tragedies can take on individuals and their families.
