FORMER world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is reportedly considering retirement from professional boxing following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and members of his training team.
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed this exclusively to this newspaper saying the 36-year-old boxer had privately communicated his decision to family members after the fatal incident last week.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing,” Adedamola said during a visit to the family home in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Monday.
“That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always emotionally affected. Whenever he’s knocked down, it feels like our hearts are coming out of our chests. The trauma is too much.”
According to him, the family welcomed Joshua’s decision to consider stepping away from the sport while still at the top of his career.
“Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy,” he added.
When asked if the boxer had personally conveyed the decision to the family, the uncle responded affirmatively.
“Yes.”
The former unified heavyweight champion survived a serious car crash in Nigeria that killed his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and his personal trainer, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Both men were long-standing members of Joshua’s inner circle and had travelled with him to Nigeria to visit family.
The accident occurred last Monday near Lagos when their Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Ghami and Ayodele died at the scene, while Joshua was rescued from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Joshua has reportedly committed to providing lifelong support to the families of the deceased.
A source within his camp told The Sun in the United Kingdom that the boxer remained deeply loyal to those closest to him.
“AJ is fiercely loyal to his friends and their families and will be there for them for the rest of their lives,” the source said.
“He’s had the same team around him for his whole career, and that team included Sina and Latz.”
Joshua broke his public silence on Sunday with an emotional Instagram post, sharing photographs with bereaved relatives and captioning them “My Brother’s Keeper,” alongside heart emojis and a military helmet symbol signifying protection. The phrase is a biblical reference from Genesis 4:9, symbolising moral responsibility and care for others.
The boxing star also attended a funeral service at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, where the Islamic Janaza prayers were held. The coffins of the two men were placed side by side as mourners gathered inside and outside the mosque. A wake followed later in the day.
Back home in Sagamu, residents expressed gratitude that Joshua survived the crash while mourning the loss of his companions.
“We thank God we didn’t lose our son,” said local indigene Adeniji Taiwo.
“For those who lost their children, God will comfort them. We feel bad that this happened when he was almost home, but we thank God. No one in Remo wishes him evil — he is our pride.”
Addressing concerns about Joshua’s emotional response to the tragedy and his relationship with Nigeria, his uncle said the family remained grounded in faith.
“There are a lot of things we have heard, but this is a Christian family, and we take everything with faith,” he said. “Emotionally, you can say anything after something like this happens, but with time, you remember this is your root.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed on Friday that the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Kayode, has been charged before a Sagamu Magistrate Court. He faces charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The case was adjourned until January 20.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been on holiday in Nigeria following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.