Anthony Joshua’s uncle has revealed that the former world champion has indicated to his family his intention to retire following the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends.
The ex-two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV involved in a collision with a truck on a major expressway near Lagos, Nigeria. The crash resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, whose funerals took place at a mosque in London on Sunday.
Prior to the funerals, ‘AJ’ shared photos on Instagram sitting with his mother and three other women, one of whom held a picture of Ghami, captioning the post ‘My Brothers Keeper.’
Following the incident, Joshua is reportedly contemplating retirement, with sources indicating that he has confided in his family about this decision. His uncle, Adedamola Joshua, expressed relief at the potential retirement, citing the emotional toll of watching him fight in the ring.
Despite reports from Nigeria suggesting Joshua’s retirement, Mirror Fighting understands that he has not yet made a final decision regarding his future in boxing.
In another development, the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged over the crash, facing allegations of causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid license. He has been granted bail but remains in custody until meeting the bail conditions.
Joshua, who was hospitalized after the accident and discharged on New Year’s Eve, returned to the UK. An eyewitness described the shock and chaos of the incident, revealing Joshua’s stunned reaction.
Reports indicated that Joshua initially sat in the front seat of the vehicle but was asked to move to the back by the driver, a decision that potentially saved his life. Following Kayode’s charges, his lawyer claimed the incident was an accident due to brake failure.
Joshua had been in Nigeria after his victory over Jake Paul before the crash occurred. The boxing community was stunned by reports of a future fight between Joshua and Fury, but uncertainties now loom over the potential bout in light of the recent tragedy.
Frank Warren expressed understanding of Joshua’s current mental state, emphasizing the impact of losing close friends and the uncertainty of how it will affect him. He highlighted the need for focus during times of tragedy.
Joshua’s boxing journey, marked by victories and setbacks, saw him rise to prominence after his Olympic success in 2012. Despite his recent defeats, Joshua’s legacy in the sport remains significant, with his resilience and achievements etched in boxing history.