A member of Anthony Joshua’s family has claimed that the former heavyweight champion is preparing to retire from professional boxing.
The claim follows a fatal car crash in Nigeria last Monday, when Joshua’s vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun. Although the 36-year-old boxer sustained only minor injuries, two close associates Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele lost their lives in the accident. Their funeral was held at a London mosque on Sunday, January 4, with Joshua in attendance.
Joshua had fought just 10 days before the crash, knocking out Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. He has not publicly commented on his boxing future, and neither his promoter Eddie Hearn nor Matchroom Boxing has issued further statements since the incident.
However, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, told The Punch that the boxer has decided to step away from the sport, a decision he said brought relief to the family due to the emotional strain of watching his fights. He added that Joshua had personally communicated his retirement decision to the family.
Before the accident, Joshua had been linked with a potential high-profile bout against Tyson Fury in 2026. Over his career, he has recorded 28 wins from 33 fights, with four losses.
