In a shocking incident that reads like a thriller novel, British professional boxer Bradley Haxby finds himself at the centre of an international legal storm after a taxi ride in Turkey turned into a violent confrontation that left a local driver fighting for his life.
The Night That Turned Into a Nightmare
What began as a routine journey through Turkish streets descended into chaos when Haxby, a 25-year-old fighter from Hartlepool, allegedly launched a brutal attack on cab driver Orhan Ciledag. The boxer claims he was gripped by a sudden panic attack that convinced him he was being kidnapped, triggering the violent response that would leave the 56-year-old driver unconscious and abandoned on a desolate roadside.
A Fighter's Fears Turn Violent
According to court documents, Haxby maintains that during the taxi journey from Marmaris to Dalaman Airport, he became convinced the driver was taking him to a remote location for nefarious purposes. The professional athlete, trained to react quickly in high-pressure situations, allegedly responded with the skills that have earned him victories in the ring - but this time with devastating real-world consequences.
"He started hitting me in the back of the head," Ciledag recounted to authorities from his hospital bed. "I tried to tell him to stop, that I was just taking him to the airport, but he kept attacking."
Left for Dead on Remote Road
The aftermath paints a grim picture: a local businessman discovered the unconscious driver lying in the middle of a remote road, his vehicle nowhere in sight. Emergency services rushed Ciledag to hospital where he was treated for serious facial injuries and head trauma.
Meanwhile, Haxby had allegedly continued to the airport in the taxi, where he was apprehended by authorities. The boxer now faces charges that could see him imprisoned for up to 12 years if convicted.
Mental Health or Criminal Intent?
Haxby's defence team argues that their client experienced an extreme panic attack, a genuine psychological episode that caused him to believe his life was in imminent danger. They point to his otherwise clean record and professional standing as evidence that this was an extraordinary circumstance rather than criminal behaviour.
However, prosecutors paint a different picture, describing the incident as a "savage and unprovoked attack" on an innocent working man. They question why Haxby didn't simply ask the driver to stop or try to exit the vehicle if he felt genuinely threatened.
A Career in the Balance
The boxing world watches with bated breath as the legal proceedings unfold. Haxby, who has built a respectable professional record of six wins and one loss, now faces a fight far removed from the regulated environment of the ring. The outcome could not only determine his freedom but potentially end his promising boxing career.
As the case continues through the Turkish legal system, it raises difficult questions about mental health, professional responsibility, and how even trained athletes can be overwhelmed by panic in unfamiliar situations.
