Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is facing widespread backlash after footage showed him jumping between moving golf carts while holidaying in the Dominican Republic.
The 36-year-old British boxer was filmed laughing with friends as they raced the vehicles at high speed across a resort. The video, which was shared online on August 19, 2026 by social media account FearBuck, captures Joshua attempting to leap from one moving cart into another.
Reckless stunt sparks public anger
The footage has drawn sharp criticism from fans and boxing figures who labelled the stunt irresponsible, particularly coming just eight months after Joshua survived a fatal road collision.
In December 2025, the heavyweight fighter was involved in a severe highway crash in Lagos, Nigeria. Joshua was travelling in the back seat of an SUV when the vehicle struck a heavy truck.
While Joshua escaped the Lagos crash with minor injuries, two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, were killed in the impact. Joshua subsequently paid tribute to both men through commemorative tattoos, custom markings on his fight gear and financial contributions to their families.
Boxing community responds
Fellow British boxer Johnny Nelson, 59, expressed deep frustration over the Dominican Republic video during an interview with Boxing King Media. The former cruiserweight champion described the stunt as dangerous, reckless and stupid.
Nelson said he covered his forehead in disbelief upon watching the clip. He stated that after everything Joshua had been through, such behaviour was unimaginable. Nelson added that while people had previously sympathised with the boxer following the loss of his friends, many now regarded him as a fool who needed to look in a mirror.
Background and recent fights
Anthony Joshua is one of the most prominent figures in modern British sport, having won an Olympic gold medal at the London 2012 Games before twice becoming the unified world heavyweight champion. The Watford-born fighter has remained a major draw in international boxing.
The controversy comes during an eventful period in Joshua's career. He recently secured a knockout victory over American opponent Jake Paul, a bout that left Paul requiring surgery for removed teeth and titanium plates. Joshua has also been involved in tense verbal exchanges with rival British heavyweight Tyson Fury as talks over potential future bouts continue.
