Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is considering quitting boxing following the tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and long-time team members.
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed that the 36-year-old boxer has privately informed his family of his decision to step away from the ring in the wake of the accident.
Speaking at the family residence in Sagamu, Ogun State, Adedamola said the decision came as a relief to the family, who have endured years of emotional strain watching Joshua fight.
“He has retired from boxing. That is what he told us,” the uncle said.
“Each time he fights, we are always emotionally troubled. When he gets knocked down, it feels like our hearts are leaving our bodies. It’s too much trauma for us.”
According to him, Joshua believes it is best to leave the sport “while the ovation is highest.”
When asked if the boxer personally communicated the decision to the family, Adedamola confirmed: “Yes.”
The fatal accident occurred last Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and his entourage rammed into a stationary truck.
Two key members of his camp — Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, his personal trainer — were killed instantly.
Joshua was pulled from the wreckage by emergency responders and rushed to hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the boxing star pledged to support the families of the deceased for life. He broke his silence on Sunday with an emotional Instagram post showing him with the bereaved families, captioned “My Brother’s Keeper,” accompanied by heart emojis.
A source close to Joshua’s camp told The Sun that the boxer has always been fiercely loyal to his team and remains committed to taking care of the families left behind.
Joshua later attended an emotional funeral service at the London Central Mosque, where the two fallen team members were honoured before a large crowd of mourners
