(Updated on 01/05/2026 @ 9:20 a.m. The driver allegedly responsible for the deadly crash has been formally charged by Nigerian police)
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One week after British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a horrifc car crash that claimed two of his close friends’ lives, the driver of the vehicle is expected to face serious charges in Nigeria. Officials originally believed a bursted tire led to the Dec. 29 accident, but now, they’re placing all the blame on the Nigerian driver.
According to reports, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was hit with dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and driving without a valid driver’s license charges. TMZ reported the case has been adjourned until Jan. 20.
Joshua, the former heavyweight world champion, had been celebrating his victory against YouTuber Jake Paul when tragedy struck. Police in Nigeria confirmed that Joshua’s vehicle smashed into stationary truck on Dec. 29. The athlete walked away with minor injuries, but two of his longtime associates– coaches Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latz” Ayodele– were pronounced dead, according to the Daily Mail. The two men were inside of Joshua’s car at the time of the crash. A total of five people were involved.
The 36-year-old gained international attention after his boxing match with Paul. He won the Dec. 19 battle with a sixth-round knockout. Joshua’s promoter, a man named Eddie Hearn, spoke to the Daily Mail after learning about the tragedy.
“I am away on a family holiday and awoke to the news of this incident,” Hearn said. “We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images. We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”
Anthony was released from the hospital two days after the incident. He is to continue recovery at his family home in the African nation. On Instagram, he finally broke his silence with a tribute to his deceased friends. “My Brothers Keeper,” he wrote.
Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo originally told ESPN a tire on Joshua’s vehicle burst while driving on a highway. Footage taken from the scene has been quickly making its rounds online. In one of the clips, a dazed Joshua is seen with his shirt off in the back seat. He was later spotted speaking to officials inside an emergency vehicle, according to reports. Eyewitnesses confirmed Joshua is “okay but badly shaken up,” the Daily Mail also reported.
The 36-year-old won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics before becoming a multiple-time heavyweight champion– once in March 2018 and again in December 2019, according to his ESPN bio.
Just hours before the crash, the athlete posted online in good spirits with some of his close friends. He was spending time in the African nation after making a quick stop in Britain following the win against Paul. Joshua is still scheduled to fight in Saudi Arabia in February. This is all leading up to another highly anticipated battle against boxer Tyson Fury later next year.
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