British boxer Anthony Joshua initially staying in Nigeria to recuperate after crash

British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua is recovering in Nigeria following a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his associates, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion was traveling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday when the vehicle he was in collided with a stationary truck. The crash resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, a trainer who had been working with the boxer.

Joshua, who sustained injuries in the accident, was released from a Lagos hospital on Wednesday after medical professionals deemed him clinically fit to continue his recovery outside of the medical facility. Following his discharge, Joshua visited the morgue to pay respects to his deceased friends.

“Anthony was released from hospital last night and will remain in Nigeria over the coming days,” a spokesperson for Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, told The Associated Press on Thursday. The decision to remain in Nigeria during his initial recovery period highlights the boxer’s connection to the country.

Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that Joshua had been cleared by medical professionals to recuperate from “home,” though it was not specified whether this meant a residence in Nigeria or if the boxer would eventually return to the United Kingdom.

The accident has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, particularly given the prominence of those involved. Just hours before the fatal crash, Joshua and Ayodele had shared social media clips of themselves playing table tennis together, making the sudden tragedy all the more jarring for fans and followers.

Joshua, 34, has strong ties to Nigeria despite representing Great Britain throughout his professional boxing career. Born in Watford, England, to Nigerian parents, he holds dual nationality and briefly attended boarding school in Nigeria during his childhood. The boxer has frequently embraced his Nigerian heritage, occasionally incorporating elements of Nigerian culture into his ring entrances and post-fight celebrations.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where the accident occurred, is a major transportation artery connecting Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub and largest city, to other parts of the country. The road has garnered a reputation for being dangerous due to its heavy traffic, poor maintenance in some sections, and frequent accidents.

This tragic incident comes at a time when Joshua’s boxing career had been experiencing a resurgence. After losing his unified heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and failing to regain them in a 2022 rematch, Joshua has won his last four fights, putting him back in contention for another world title opportunity.

The deaths of Ghami and Ayodele represent a significant personal and professional loss for Joshua. Strength and conditioning coaches and trainers form crucial parts of a boxer’s inner circle, developing close relationships through countless hours spent together in preparation for fights.

As the boxing world processes this tragic news, questions about how the accident might affect Joshua’s career plans remain unanswered. The British star had been expected to fight again later this year, potentially against American Deontay Wilder or as part of the elimination process to determine the next mandatory challenger for the heavyweight championship.

For now, Joshua’s focus remains on his recovery and honoring the memory of his fallen friends, as the boxing community rallies around one of its biggest stars during this difficult time.