Anthony Joshua’s uncle has stated that the former world champion has informed his family of his decision to retire after a tragic car accident that resulted in the deaths 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 claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, with their funerals taking place 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 holding a photo of Ghami. The post was captioned ‘My Brothers Keeper’.
Following the recent crash, Joshua is reportedly contemplating retirement, with his family being informed of his decision privately. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the retirement news, citing the emotional toll of watching him fight in the ring.
While reports suggest Joshua has retired from boxing, Mirror Fighting understands that a formal decision on his future is yet to be made.
The driver of the car, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged over the crash, facing accusations of causing death by dangerous driving among other charges. Joshua, who spent time in the hospital after the accident, returned to the UK on New Year’s Eve.
Stunning reports revealed that Joshua narrowly avoided a fatal outcome as he was initially seated in the front before swapping to the back seat at the driver’s request. The Brit had been in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul, and plans for a future fight with Tyson Fury are now uncertain following the tragic incident.
Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, acknowledged the impact of the accident on Joshua, emphasizing that boxing would not be a priority for him given the loss of his close friends.
Joshua’s career, highlighted by memorable victories and setbacks, saw him rise to become a prominent figure in the heavyweight division. Despite recent challenges, his future in the sport remains uncertain.