Anthony Joshua’s uncle has revealed that the former heavyweight champion has expressed his intention to retire after a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends.
The fatal crash occurred when the Lexus SUV, in which Joshua was a passenger, collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos, Nigeria. The victims of the accident, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, were laid to rest in a ceremony at a London mosque.
In a poignant Instagram post before the funeral, Joshua shared images of himself with family members, one of whom held a photograph of Ghami, captioned with ‘My Brothers Keeper.’ Following the incident, Joshua is reportedly contemplating retirement, a decision he has privately conveyed to his family.
While there are assertions that Joshua has retired from boxing, Mirror Fighting reports that no official decision has been made by the athlete. The emotional toll of Joshua’s fights on his family has been a significant factor in his potential retirement decision.
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged in connection with the crash, facing allegations of dangerous driving and negligence. Joshua, who was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve after receiving treatment, has returned to the UK.
The tragic accident has cast doubt on Joshua’s future in the sport, with uncertainties surrounding his mental and physical well-being following the loss of his friends. Despite his successful boxing career, including memorable victories and setbacks, Joshua’s focus may now shift away from the ring as he processes the recent events.
The boxing community awaits further updates on Joshua’s decision amid the aftermath of the heartbreaking incident that has deeply impacted him and those close to him.