Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital as he pays respects to close friends who died

An update has been given on the health of British boxer Anthony Joshua following a horrific car crash in Nigeria on 29 December.

Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus which crashed into a stationary van on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, known to be one of the busiest motorways in Nigeria.

Two men died in the crash, both of whom were confirmed to be 'close friends and team members' of Joshua's.

A statement from Matchroom Boxing revealed that they were Sina Ghami, Joshua's sport and exercise rehabilitation coach, and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, his personal trainer.

Now, Nigerian authorities have confirmed the former heavyweight champion was discharged from hospital on Wednesday night (31 December) and that he was able to pay respects to the pair.

The Olympic gold medallist suffered some minor injuries while the other two men involved in the crash walked away without any issues.

Photos of the car crash Joshua was involved in were recently released (X/Federal Road Safety Corps)

Joshua, 36, was under observation as he was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash, his promoter said on Monday.

In a viral video taken during the aftermath, he was heard saying that he could 'feel pain all over'.

The Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has now taken to X to reveal that Joshua was discharged from hospital.

Omotoso stated: "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,” he added.

Joshua's family also recently provided an update on the boxer's condition, as his uncle, Robert, said to The Sun: "We have not been allowed to see him, but from information given by authorities, he is responding to treatment."

Joshua lost two of his close friends in the car crash (Instagram/sina_evolve)

Another uncle, named Adedamola, stated: "The incident shook our family deeply. Though our son, Anthony, is alive, two of his friends, who came to celebrate with us, lost their lives.

"This is a serious tragedy, not only for our family, but for Ogun State, Nigeria, and the world at large. We are deeply saddened that two people very close to Anthony did not survive. Our hearts are with their families."

The cause of the crash was confirmed by authorities, who said that the SUV that Joshua and his friends were in 'lost control' as it drove at excessive speed, causing a tyre to burst as it overtook another vehicle and slammed into the back of a parked van.

Joshua recently made his return to the ring after 15 months out, beating YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December in a lucrative Netflix-covered bout.