British former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will remain in Nigeria as he recovers from injuries suffered in a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.
The Fatal Collision on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The incident occurred on Monday when the vehicle carrying the boxer, his strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami, and trainer Latif "Latz" Ayodele collided with a stationary truck. The crash happened on the major Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a crucial thoroughfare linking Ogun state to Lagos. Tragically, both Ghami and Ayodele lost their lives in the collision.
Joshua's Release and Mourning
Joshua was discharged from a Lagos hospital on Wednesday afternoon after medical professionals deemed him clinically fit to recuperate from home. Following his release, the athlete paid a solemn visit to the morgue to pay his respects to his deceased friends.
His promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed the situation in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday. "As reported, Anthony was released from hospital last night and will remain in Nigeria over the coming days," the statement read.
Deep Nigerian Connections
The boxer's decision to stay in the country is rooted in his strong personal ties there. Anthony Joshua has family roots in Nigeria, briefly attended boarding school there as a child, and holds Nigerian nationality. Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, publicly confirmed Joshua's discharge on Wednesday.
The tragedy is underscored by the mundane moments that preceded it. Just hours before the fatal crash, Joshua and Ayodele had shared light-hearted social media clips of themselves playing table tennis together, a poignant reminder of the suddenness of the loss.
As the boxing world and fans await further news, the focus remains on Joshua's physical recovery and the profound personal loss of his two colleagues, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
