Anthony Joshua’s uncle has revealed that the former world champion has indicated his intention to retire after a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends.
The incident occurred last week 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 on Sunday.
Following the accident, Joshua shared photos on Instagram showing him with family members, one of whom held a picture of Ghami, captioned with ‘My Brothers Keeper’. Reports suggest that Joshua has privately informed his family of his decision to retire from boxing, citing the emotional toll his fights have taken on them.
While there are claims of Joshua’s retirement, Mirror Fighting reports that Joshua has not yet made a final decision on his future. The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged in connection with the crash and is currently on bail awaiting trial.
Joshua, who was hospitalized after the accident, has since been discharged and returned to the UK. Witnesses described the shocking scene of the crash, where Joshua narrowly avoided more serious injuries by changing seats in the vehicle shortly before the collision.
The tragic incident has raised questions about Joshua’s boxing career, with uncertainties surrounding his next steps. Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, highlighted the impact of the loss of Joshua’s friends on his mental state, emphasizing that boxing may not be a priority for him at this time.
Joshua, a prominent figure in the heavyweight division, has had a successful career, including memorable victories and setbacks. Despite recent challenges, Joshua’s future in boxing remains uncertain as he navigates the aftermath of the devastating accident.