Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped death after making a last-minute decision that spared his life in a fatal car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The tragic accident occurred on Monday, December 29, when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and members of his team was involved in a crash. While the boxing star sustained only minor injuries and was later discharged from hospital, two of his longtime associates were killed.
Fresh details have now emerged revealing that Joshua survived the crash after swapping seats moments before the journey began.
According to the driver’s lawyer, Anthony Joshua initially sat in the front passenger seat but was asked to move shortly before departure because of his size.
“I understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat,” the driver’s counsel told the Daily Mail. “But the driver asked him to swap seats because he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly. Anthony then moved to the back seat behind the driver.”
The lawyer added that Joshua’s associate, identified as Latif, moved to the front seat after the switch — a position that proved fatal when the crash occurred.
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The driver, Olalekan Abiodun, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, insisting the incident was an accident caused by brake failure.
“My client has pleaded not guilty. He is saying the brakes did not work,” the lawyer said, noting that he was yet to have a full briefing with his client.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver of the Lexus SUV, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Friday, January 2, 2026, before the Sagamu Magistrate Court.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the police said the driver was charged with four offences: causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The case was adjourned to January 20, 2026.
The deceased victims were identified as close and long-term friends of Joshua. One, Ghami, served as his strength and conditioning coach, while the other, Ayodele, was a trainer within his camp.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been holidaying in Nigeria following his high-profile victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
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Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to the victims, describing them as men of “energy and loyalty,” and lamenting the painful loss to Joshua’s inner circle.
The 36-year-old boxer was released from hospital on New Year’s Eve and has yet to publicly comment on the accident.
However, a joint statement by the Ogun State Government and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that Joshua was “deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.”
The statement also disclosed that Joshua and his mother were present at a Lagos funeral home to pay their final respects to the deceased, ahead of arrangements for the repatriation of their remains.