Anthony Joshua touched down at Stansted Airport on Friday evening, returning to British soil following the devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest companions.
The former world heavyweight champion travelled home aboard a private jet and has since retreated to his residence to continue his recovery.
A funeral service for his late friends is scheduled to take place at a London mosque tomorrow, with family and loved ones invited to attend a janazah prayer service.
Joshua remains uncertain whether he will be present at the ceremony. A reported source indicated: “Anthony wants to go to the funeral, but he hasn’t decided yet; he’s mindful that his presence could cause a circus and overshadow the funeral for the family of his two friends.”
Anthony Joshua escaped with his life after a fatal car crash that claimed two lives
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REUTERS
The collision occurred on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest motorways.
Joshua’s Lexus SUV struck a stationary truck that had been parked at the roadside. Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who served as the boxer’s strength coach and personal trainer respectively, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 36-year-old sustained only minor injuries and was transported to Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi for treatment.
Matchroom Boxing and 258 MGT released a joint statement confirming the tragedy: “With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, have tragically passed away.”
Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal crash after his car hit a stationery truck | X
Joshua was discharged on New Year’s Eve.
Prior to the fatal journey, a twist of fate may have spared Joshua’s life.
According to the driver’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, the boxer had initially taken the front passenger seat when the group departed from Lagos.
However, the driver requested that Joshua relocate to the rear of the vehicle. “He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver,” Abiodun explained.
Ayodele subsequently moved into the front seat that Joshua had vacated, placing him in the position that would prove fatal when the collision occurred.
Nigerian authorities have brought multiple charges against the vehicle’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46.
The chauffeur that crashed the car carrying Anthony Joshua was charged | FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS NIGERIA
He appeared before Sagamu Magistrates’ Court on Friday facing accusations of causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid licence.
Kayode has entered a not guilty plea, with his legal representative maintaining that the incident was accidental and that the brakes had failed.
The court granted bail set at 5,000,000 Naira, equivalent to approximately £2,578, though he remains in custody until those conditions are satisfied.
Latif Ayodele (right) and Sina Ghami (centre-left) had all travelled to Nigeria with Anthony Joshua | INSTAGRAM/HEALTHY_MINDSET
Proceedings have been postponed until 20 January.
