British boxer Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital after being involved in a road accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two of his close associates. The incident occurred near Lagos on Monday, December 16, 2024, when Joshua was traveling with his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer Latif Ayodele. Both men tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Following the accident, Joshua was admitted to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos for observation due to minor injuries. According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, Joshua was deemed clinically fit for discharge late Wednesday afternoon, December 18, 2024.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Omotoso reported that Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay their respects to Ghami and Ayodele as preparations for their repatriation were underway. Just hours before the fatal incident, Joshua and Ayodele shared videos online of themselves playing table tennis, highlighting the close bond they shared.
The accident has raised concerns about road safety in Nigeria, a country known for its high rates of vehicular accidents. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria recorded 5,421 deaths from 9,570 road accidents in 2024, reflecting a troubling trend with 340 more fatalities than the previous year.
Joshua, a two-time former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, recently celebrated a victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19, 2024. This fight was part of his efforts to enhance his fitness as he aims for future championship opportunities.
As the boxing community mourns the loss of Ghami and Ayodele, Joshua’s recovery and the implications of this tragic event on road safety in Nigeria remain focal points of discussion.
