Anthony Joshua’s uncle has revealed that the former world champion has communicated his intention to retire after a tragic car accident that resulted in the deaths of two close friends.
The incident occurred when the ex-two-time heavyweight 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, whose funerals were held at a mosque in London on Sunday.
Before attending the funeral, ‘AJ’ shared images on Instagram showing him with his mother and three other women, one of whom held a photo of Ghami. In the post, he captioned, ‘My Brothers Keeper’.
Following the tragedy, Joshua is contemplating retirement, with reports indicating that he has privately shared his decision with his family. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the news, stating that the emotional toll of watching Joshua fight in the ring was overwhelming for them.
While reports from Nigeria suggest Joshua’s retirement, Mirror Fighting understands that he has not yet finalized his future plans.
The driver involved in the accident, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with various offenses related to the crash and is currently on bail.
After receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the accident, Joshua returned to the UK. Eyewitnesses described his shock and inability to speak immediately after the incident.
Reports surfaced that Joshua had initially been seated in the front of the vehicle but was asked to move to the back by the driver, ultimately saving his life. The driver’s lawyer claimed that it was an accident and indicated issues with the vehicle’s brakes.
Joshua had been in Nigeria following a lucrative bout with Jake Paul before the tragic accident. Plans for a future fight between Joshua and Fury are now uncertain due to the recent events.
Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, acknowledged that boxing is not a priority for Joshua at the moment, given the loss of his friends and the impact of the accident on him mentally.
Joshua’s boxing career has seen highs and lows, including iconic victories and setbacks, culminating in his recent defeat to Daniel Dubois. Despite his achievements, the recent events have cast doubt on his future in the sport.