Anthony Joshua visits funeral home to pay respects to dead friends before being discharged from hospital

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 01/01/2026

- 16:21

Anthony Joshua is now recovering at his home in Nigeria

Anthony Joshua has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital following the devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two close companions earlier this week.

The two-time world heavyweight champion left the Lagos medical facility on Wednesday, with authorities confirming he was medically cleared to continue his recovery at his Nigerian residence.


Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos state commissioner for information, announced in a joint statement with Ogun state that the 36-year-old boxer was "deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home".

The Watford-born fighter sustained only minor injuries when his black SUV collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

Anthony Joshua has visited a funeral home to pay respects to his dead friends before being discharged from hospital

Anthony Joshua has visited a funeral home to pay respects to his dead friends before being discharged from hospital

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REUTERS

Prior to leaving hospital, Joshua accompanied his mother to a funeral home in Lagos where they bade farewell to his fallen friends.

The poignant visit took place on Wednesday afternoon as preparations were underway for the repatriation of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele's remains to Britain.

According to the official statement, the bodies were "being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening".

The statement acknowledged that Joshua remained "heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends" despite being deemed fit for discharge.

Both Ghami and Ayodele had been travelling alongside the boxer when the fatal collision occurred.

Anthony Joshua and friendsLatif Ayodele (right) and Sina Ghami (centre-left) had all travelled to Nigeria with Anthony Joshua | INSTAGRAM/HEALTHY_MINDSET

The two victims were far more than mere colleagues to the British-Nigerian star.

Ghami had served as Joshua's sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for more than a decade, whilst Ayodele worked as his personal trainer.

Both men were 36 years old, the same age as the champion they supported.

A spokesperson for Joshua described Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele as "close friends and integral members of Anthony's team".

Kolawole Omoboriowo, a close associate who has known Joshua for eight years, told Sky News that Ayodele was "more than a friend" to the boxer and more akin to a "twin brother".

Nigerian authorities have launched a manhunt for the lorry driver, who absconded from the scene immediately following the collision.

Anthony JoshuaAnthony Joshua had only recently returned to the ring after beating Jake Paul earlier this month | GETTY

The Federal Road Safety Corps has declared the driver wanted, according to an official from the agency.

Preliminary investigations by the FRSC attributed the crash to excessive speed and improper overtaking manoeuvres.

The corps stated on X that the Lexus was "suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed limit" and "lost control" whilst attempting to pass another vehicle before striking the parked truck.

Anthony JoshuaAnthony Joshua seen following his car crash in Nigeria | X

"The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways," the safety body added.