Anthony Joshua visits funeral home after death of two close friends in crash
Anthony Joshua paid his respects at a funeral home to Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele after being released from hospital. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday, but sadly both of his close friends passed away.The British boxer has been discharged from hospital in Lagos. The 36-year-old will now continue his recovery from his home in Nigeria, but first he accompanied his mother to the funeral home where the bodies of Ghami and Ayodele lie.A statement from the local government read: "The governments of Lagos and Ogun states, once again, commiserate with the families of the two young men -Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami - who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua on the 29th Dec 2025."We pray The Almighty grant the repose of their souls whilst granting their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this very sad and painful loss."Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon though heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends he was deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home."Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening."Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deeply appreciate the public concern and show of love and affection over this very sad and unfortunate incident."They also appreciate Mr President. His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for all fatherly support he gave through out the process. We also want to appreciate the team of Doctors and medical personnel at the Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi that attended to Anthony and those that sustained injuries. The quality of care and professionalism is truly commendable."Joshua had been a passenger in a black SUV when it smashed into a stationary lorry, claiming the lives of the boxer's close companions. The heavyweight was holidaying in Nigeria after his triumph over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, reports the Mirror.Authorities are continuing their probe into the collision, with officers now hunting for the lorry driver, who had illegally parked on the motorway's hard shoulder. "He was parked on the side of the highway which is illegal, he had not broken down and he was not with the vehicle when the accident happened," a Nigerian police officer has said.Meanwhile, the driver of the black SUV has provided a statement to the police following his release from hospital. Babatunde Akinbiyi, a representative for Ogun State's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, stated: "From the preliminary investigation that was conducted, definitely there was overspeeding on the part of the SUV Anthony Joshua was travelling in. In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst."That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked. There was excessive speed."Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
