Anthony Joshua’s uncle has revealed that the former world champion has informed his family about his decision to retire after a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends.
The fatal incident occurred when Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos, Nigeria. The crash resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, whose funerals were held at a mosque in London.
Prior to attending the funerals, Joshua shared images on Instagram sitting with his mother and three other women, one of whom held a photo of Ghami, captioned with ‘My Brothers Keeper.’
Following the accident, reports suggest that Joshua is contemplating retirement, with his family being informed about this decision privately. According to Adedamola Joshua, the uncle, the family is relieved by the retirement news as they found it emotionally challenging to watch Joshua fight in the ring.
Despite the retirement claims made in Nigeria, Joshua has not yet made a final decision on his future, as reported by Mirror Fighting.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged over the crash, with allegations of causing death by dangerous driving and other related offenses. Joshua, after receiving hospital treatment, returned to the UK, where he was discharged on New Year’s Eve.
The tragic incident has cast doubt on Joshua’s boxing career, with uncertainties surrounding his mental state and physical well-being following the loss of his friends. Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, expressed concerns about the impact of the accident on Joshua’s mindset and future in boxing.
Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist in 2012, quickly rose to fame in the heavyweight division, becoming a world champion in 2015. His career has been marked by notable victories and setbacks, including a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019. Despite his resilience and wins in subsequent fights, Joshua faced another defeat in 2024, hindering his pursuit of a third world title.
The future of Joshua’s boxing career remains uncertain as he navigates the aftermath of the tragic car crash and mourns the loss of his friends.