STWF Sports | Jan. 1, 2025 – Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital following a devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends, a moment that has cast a heavy shadow over the former heavyweight champion’s personal and professional future.
The 36-year-old boxer, who had been vacationing in Nigeria after his December 19 victory over Jake Paul, was involved in a fatal collision near Lagos on Monday evening. Joshua was traveling in a Lexus SUV when the crash occurred, with later images revealing the extensive damage to the vehicle. His teammates and lifelong friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif” Ayodele, were both killed in the accident.
Joshua was taken to hospital in stable condition and treated for injuries sustained in the collision. On Tuesday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that the British heavyweight had been discharged and would continue his recovery at home.
“Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon, though heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends,” Omotoso said in a statement. “He was deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.”
Omotoso added that Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos earlier in the day to pay their final respects as arrangements were made to repatriate the bodies of the two men later that evening. He also praised the staff at Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi, describing their care and professionalism as “truly commendable.”
The news brought a measure of relief to the boxing world, which had been anxiously awaiting updates on Joshua’s condition. Messages of support quickly poured in from across the sport. Fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury offered his condolences, while reigning heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who famously defeated Joshua twice in the ring, described the tragedy as “an unbelievable loss” and wished his former rival a swift recovery.
According to Nigerian authorities, the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. The Federal Road Safety Corps stated that the truck involved in the collision was suspected of traveling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit. Officials confirmed that the truck driver allegedly fled the scene and may face prosecution for reckless driving, particularly given the fatalities involved.
“These are serious offences under Nigerian law and can attract criminal liability if fatalities are involved,” the agency said.
Police have since taken a statement from the driver of Joshua’s vehicle, who has also been discharged from hospital.
Footage that later circulated on social media showed Joshua visibly distressed in the immediate aftermath of the accident, underscoring the emotional toll of the incident. While physically stable, the psychological impact of losing two close friends is expected to weigh heavily on the former champion in the weeks ahead.
Before the crash, Joshua appeared to be positioning himself for a return to the ring early next year, with February or March discussed as potential windows. His bout with Paul was widely viewed as a tune-up designed to sharpen his edge while expanding his profile in the United States ahead of a possible all-British showdown with Fury.
Other names, including Fabio Wardley and rising heavyweight Moses Itauma, had also been linked as potential future opponents.
For now, however, boxing plans are secondary. Joshua’s focus has shifted from title pursuits and legacy bouts to healing—both physically and emotionally—after one of the most traumatic moments of his life. As tributes continue to arrive from across the sporting world, the boxing community remains united in support of a champion confronting loss far greater than anything he has faced inside the ring. Which has prepared him to knockout any out of the ring challenges!
