Anthony Joshua’s uncle has stated that the former world champion has indicated his intention to retire after a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of two of his close friends.
The ex-two-time heavyweight world champion was involved in a fatal crash in Nigeria last week, where a Lexus SUV he was traveling in collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos. The accident claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Their 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 photograph of Ghami. The caption of the post read ‘My Brothers Keeper’.
Following the tragic incident, Joshua is reportedly contemplating retirement and has shared this decision with his family privately. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the prospect of Joshua leaving the boxing ring, citing emotional distress experienced by the family during his fights.
Despite reports from Nigeria, Mirror Fighting has learned that Joshua has not made a final decision on his future yet.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged in connection with the crash, facing charges of causing death by dangerous driving among others. Joshua, after receiving medical treatment, has returned to the UK following the incident.
Reports revealed that Joshua had swapped seats in the car before the accident, a move that potentially saved his life. It was reported that the driver asked him to change seats due to visibility issues. Joshua had been in Nigeria following a fight victory over Jake Paul before the tragic accident occurred.
Plans for a future boxing match between Joshua and Fury have been cast into doubt following the recent events. Frank Warren, a boxing promoter, expressed uncertainty about the potential fight in light of the tragic crash.
Anthony Joshua, a prominent figure in the boxing world, has had a successful career, winning multiple titles and engaging in memorable fights. Despite setbacks, he has shown resilience and determination in his professional journey.