Anthony Joshua Discharged From Hospital In Nigeria After Tragic Lagos Car Crash That Killed Two Close Friends
Written by b87fm on 01/01/2026
Latif Ayodele (left) and Sina Ghami (right) were close friends and team members of Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua is back home in Lagos recovering after being released from the hospital, days after a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and longtime teammates.
Nigerian authorities confirmed Wednesday night (Dec. 31) that the former heavyweight champion was discharged from Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja on New Year’s Eve. Doctors determined Joshua, 36, was well enough to continue healing at home after being under observation for minor injuries sustained as a passenger in the accident near Lagos on December 29.
The emotional toll is far greater than the physical injuries. The crash killed Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami. Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home Wednesday afternoon to pay their final respects as arrangements were made to repatriate the bodies.
Omotoso described Joshua as “heavy-hearted and full of emotions,” mourning two men who were far more than staff — they were family. Hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele had posted videos laughing and playing table tennis, a painful reminder of how quickly life can change.
The tragedy has also reignited concern over road safety in Nigeria. Federal Road Safety Corps data shows 5,421 fatalities in 9,570 reported crashes in 2024 — an increase of more than 300 deaths compared to the previous year.
Joshua’s hospitalization came less than two weeks after a highly publicized return to the ring, where he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19. The victory marked his first fight in over a year and symbolized a comeback moment for the two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Now, instead of focusing on training camps and future title shots, Joshua’s world has shifted to grief, recovery, and honoring the memories of two men who helped shape his career.
