Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped tragedy after switching seats just before a fatal car accident claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, resulting in the loss of Joshua’s friends while the boxer sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized. The driver of the vehicle has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, with his lawyer stating that the incident was an accident and claiming that the brakes malfunctioned.
Reportedly, the journey began in Lagos, where Joshua initially sat in the front seat but later moved to the back at the driver’s request due to visibility issues with the wing mirror. Subsequently, the seating arrangements changed, with another friend shifting positions.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver, has been formally charged by the Ogun State Police Command with several offenses, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless driving, negligence, and driving without a valid license. The case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026.
Joshua, a British-Nigerian boxer, had been vacationing in Nigeria following a recent victory in Miami. His friends, who tragically lost their lives in the accident, were long-time associates, with one serving as his strength and conditioning coach and the other as a trainer.
Various figures from the boxing world, including Eddie Hearn and renowned champions like Tony Bellew, Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Wladimir Klitschko, have expressed their condolences for the loss.
After being discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve, Joshua has refrained from making public statements about the incident. The Ogun state authorities have confirmed his release and stated that he is deemed fit to recover at home.
In a joint statement with Ogun state officials, it was mentioned that Joshua and his mother paid their respects at the funeral home in Lagos, where the bodies of his friends were being prepared for repatriation.
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