Anthony Joshua’s uncle has stated that the former world champion has indicated to his family his intention to retire following a tragic car accident that resulted in the loss of two close friends.
The ex-two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV involved in a collision with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos, Nigeria. The incident claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Their funerals were held at a mosque in London on Sunday.
Before attending the funeral, ‘AJ’ shared images on Instagram sitting with his mother and three other women, one of whom held a photo of Ghami. The post was captioned ‘My Brothers Keeper.’
Following the crash, Joshua is reportedly contemplating retirement, with sources indicating he has privately shared his decision with his family. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the retirement news, stating that witnessing Joshua’s fights had been emotionally overwhelming for the family.
While reports from Nigeria suggest Joshua’s retirement decision, Mirror Fighting understands that Joshua has not yet made a final determination on his future in boxing.
The driver of the car, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was charged over the crash, pleaded not guilty to charges including causing death by dangerous driving. Joshua, after receiving hospital treatment, was discharged and returned to the UK.
The boxing community was shocked by reports that Joshua narrowly avoided a fatal outcome by moving to the back seat of the vehicle before the crash. His time in Nigeria was marred by the tragic incident, following his lucrative bout with Jake Paul.
The potential fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury in 2026 is now uncertain due to the recent events. Frank Warren expressed concerns about Joshua’s mental state post-accident and its impact on his boxing career.
Joshua’s career highlights include winning Olympic gold in 2012 and becoming a prominent figure in the heavyweight division. Despite setbacks, including losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua showed resilience in his bouts against various opponents.
This tragic event has cast doubt on Joshua’s future in boxing, as he navigates the emotional aftermath of the accident and mourns the loss of his friends.