How Anthony Joshua avoided death by changing seats before deadly accident

Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped death in a disturbing stroke of fate after he switched seats in his SUV just moments before a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of two of his close friends.

As reported by the Daily Mail UK, the world heavyweight boxing champion avoided disaster when he shifted from the front passenger seat to the back of the vehicle shortly before it collided with a parked truck on one of Nigeria’s most dangerous highways.

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The crash led to the deaths of Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, only hours after they arrived in Nigeria for a vacation.

New details emerged during the trial of Joshua’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, at the Sagamu High Court.

Evidence revealed that Joshua had originally been seated in front but was asked to move, a decision that ultimately saved his life when the accident occurred.

The court also learned that the driver did not hold a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident.

Kayode, who has been with Joshua for over three years, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including dangerous driving. He claimed the accident was due to brake failure while dressed in a black Muslim kaftan.

Joshua’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, stated that the journey began in Lagos with Joshua in the front.

The driver allegedly requested the seat swap because Joshua’s size obstructed his view of the side mirror.

Latif Ayodele was in the front seat initially but swapped with Joshua, positioning the boxer behind the driver just before the fatal impact.

Kayode has been released on bail of five million naira, with the court permitting non-cash assets as collateral in accordance with Nigerian law.

He faces several charges, including causing death through dangerous driving, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license. The trial has been postponed until January 20.

Outside the courtroom, emotions were palpable. The driver’s wife was too upset to comment, while his 19-year-old son, Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, maintained his father’s innocence, describing the incident as a tragic accident and expressing grief for Ghami and Ayodele’s deaths.

He emphasized that his father was not speeding and had been following traffic regulations when the brakes unexpectedly failed.

He claimed the driver attempted to avoid an illegally parked truck but could not avert the crash. The group was reportedly mere minutes from reaching Sagamu, where Joshua was set to visit family.

Joshua sustained injuries and was hospitalized following the crash, which has shocked the boxing community and beyond.

Photos taken shortly before the trip depict the boxer smiling on his arrival in Nigeria, unaware that a simple seat change would be the key to his survival.

What should have been a joyful family reunion turned into profound heartbreak, leaving two families in mourning and a global sports icon grateful for a narrow escape from tragedy.