How last-minute change of plan led to British boxing star Anthony Joshua surviving deadly car crash in Nigeria

British boxing star Anthony Joshua had a narrow escape in Nigeria recently, surviving a deadly car accident in which two of his close friends were killed. The former world heavyweight champion was on his way to meet relatives for New Year’s celebrations in Sagamu near Lagos when Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck on an expressway on Monday.

While the 36-year-old boxing star escaped with minor injuries, his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, who also happen to be part of his training team, were killed in the accident. Joshua was taken to a hospital from where he was discharged on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was driving the vehicle, appeared in a court two days later where he was charged on four counts including causing death by dangerous driving, with the case now adjourned until 20 January.

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Joshua’s lawyer reveals last-minute seat swap

Joshua, who had delivered a sixth-round knockout to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December, might not have had such a lucky escape had it not been for a last minute seat change before the ill-fated trip.

His lawyer Olalekan Abiodun, after all, revealed that the 2012 Olympic gold medallist was seated in the front but later swapped seats with Ayodele following a complaint from the driver.

“My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work. I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats,” Abiodun was quoted by The Daily Express as saying.

“He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony,” he added.

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Watford-born Joshua was holidaying in Nigeria, the country his parents are originally from, following his victory over Paul and returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday. Ghami and Ayodele’s funerals, meanwhile, will be taking place at a London mosque on Sunday.