Boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital after a serious car crash in Nigeria that left two of his close friends dead.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said Joshua, 36, was discharged late on Wednesday, Dec. 31, after being deemed clinically fit to continue recovering from home. Omotoso added that the fighter was “heavy-hearted” as he grieves the deaths of two men described as both colleagues and friends.

Two members of his team identified

Omotoso confirmed those who died in the collision were Latif Ayodele, identified as Joshua’s personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach. The official said that after leaving hospital, Joshua and his mother went to a funeral home to pay their respects as preparations were underway for the men to be repatriated to the United Kingdom.

Reports cited by The Guardian said Joshua had been kept under observation and suffered only minor injuries.

What’s known about the crash

The crash happened at around 11 a.m. local time on Monday, Dec. 29, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun, according to local coverage. Joshua was riding as a passenger in a Lexus SUV that struck a stationary truck.

A witness account described the convoy as two vehicles — a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV — and said Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another passenger beside him, making four occupants in the Lexus.

Investigation and potential charges

Further reporting said the driver is expected to face charges related to the incident. Nigeria’s road safety investigation has suggested the vehicle may have been traveling at excessive speed when a tire burst, and that dangerous overtaking could have been a factor.

The tragedy has also fueled renewed concern about road safety in Nigeria. Data referenced in coverage pointed to 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents recorded in 2024.

Coming just days after a major win

Joshua had been spending time in Nigeria after defeating Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout in Miami on Dec. 19. The loss of Ayodele and Ghami has cast a shadow over what had been a celebratory stretch, with Joshua described as overwhelmed by grief as he begins his recovery away from hospital.