Anthony Joshua’s uncle has disclosed that the former world champion has indicated his intention to retire after the tragic car accident that claimed the lives 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 crash resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, with their funerals held at a mosque in London on Sunday.
Prior to the funeral, ‘AJ’ shared two photos on Instagram, seated with his mother and three other women, one of whom held a picture of Ghami. His post was captioned ‘My Brothers Keeper’.
Following the recent crash, Joshua is contemplating retirement, having reportedly informed his family of his decision privately. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the retirement news, citing the emotional toll of watching Joshua fight in the ring.
While reports from Nigeria suggest Joshua has retired from boxing, Mirror Fighting understands that he has yet to finalize his future plans.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged over the crash, facing several driving-related charges. Joshua, who was hospitalized following the accident, has since been discharged and returned to the UK.
Reports emerged that Joshua narrowly escaped harm by switching seats in the vehicle, a move suggested by the driver. He had been vacationing in Nigeria after a boxing victory over Jake Paul, which brought him a significant financial gain.
Amidst plans for a future fight with Tyson Fury, uncertainties loom following the recent tragedy. Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, acknowledged that boxing is likely the least of Joshua’s concerns presently, given the loss of his friends and the mental impact of the incident.
Joshua, a prominent figure in the boxing world, rose to fame after winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games and subsequently dominating the heavyweight division. Despite setbacks, including losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s career has been marked by memorable victories and resilient comebacks.
