Lagos, Nigeria — Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home after surviving a serious car crash on a major highway in southwestern Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of his team.
Joshua, a British-Nigerian athlete known for multiple world title reigns and global fight events, was involved in the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway — one of Nigeria’s busiest arterial roads — while travelling with associates and training staff. The collision occurred in the morning hours when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly struck a stationary truck.
Hospitalisation and Recovery
Emergency responders transported Joshua to a medical facility shortly after the crash. According to family representatives and local officials, the boxer sustained non–life-threatening injuries, including cuts, bruises, and discomfort consistent with the impact of a high-speed road accident.
Medical personnel kept Joshua under observation for several days to ensure his condition remained stable. Following a comprehensive evaluation and improvement in his physical symptoms, he was cleared for discharge and allowed to return home, where he continues to recuperate with the support of his family and medical team.
Tragic Loss of Team Members
The crash was not without tragedy. Two of the passengers who were with Joshua died at the scene of the accident. Subsequent reports identified the deceased as members of his close coaching and training circle — figures who played significant roles in his preparation and day-to-day regimen. They were widely respected within his camp and the broader boxing community.
Authorities and friends of the victims have begun paying tribute to their lives and contributions, and investigations into the crash are ongoing to determine the precise factors that led to the collision.
Official Statements and Reactions
Public statements from Nigerian police officials confirmed the accident and the fatalities, while a spokesperson for Joshua’s family thanked well-wishers for their outpouring of support. The family emphasised that Joshua’s recovery remains the priority and expressed sorrow over the loss of his close associates.
International boxing figures, fans, and sports commentators have also reacted, combining relief at Joshua’s survival with condolences for the team members who lost their lives. Social-media tributes have highlighted both the fragility of life and the strong community that surrounds athletes at the highest levels of competition.
Context and Next Steps
Although the full investigation is still underway, early information from road safety experts points to possible excessive speed and limited visibility on the expressway as contributing factors — issues commonly cited in traffic accidents on major transport corridors in the region.
Joshua’s management team has indicated that he will be stepping back from public events and training commitments until fully cleared by his medical advisors. The timing of his next professional fight remains uncertain, but supporters have expressed confidence that he will return to the sport when physically ready.
The former champion’s discharge from the hospital represents an important step in his recovery, but the shock of the crash and the loss of his colleagues underscores the human side of elite sport — where personal safety and team bonds resonate far beyond the ring.
