Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is considering retirement from professional boxing following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and long-time team members, The PUNCH reports.
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed this during an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the family home in Sagamu on Monday. According to him, the 36-year-old boxer privately informed his family of the decision after the accident, which occurred last week.
“The major thing is that he has retired from boxing, and that makes us glad,” Adedamola said. “Each time he fights, we are always emotionally involved. When he is knocked down, it feels like our hearts are coming out of our chest. It has been too much trauma for us. Now that he has decided to leave while the ovation is still high, we are happy.”
Asked whether Joshua had directly communicated this decision to the family, his uncle responded simply, “Yes.”
The fatal accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua, his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and his personal trainer, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, collided with a stationary truck. Ghami and Ayodele died instantly, while Joshua was rescued from the wreckage and rushed to hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
Following the tragedy, Joshua has pledged lifelong support to the families of the deceased. He broke his public silence on Sunday by sharing photos with the bereaved families on Instagram, captioned “My Brothers Keeper,” alongside heart emojis and a military helmet symbol signifying protection. The phrase references Genesis 4:9, reflecting a moral responsibility to care for others.
A source within Joshua’s camp told UK publication The Sun that the boxer remains deeply committed to the families of his late aides. “AJ is fiercely loyal to his friends and their families and will be there for them for the rest of their lives. He has had the same team throughout his career, and that team included Sina and Latz,” the source said.
Ghami and Ayodele were integral members of Joshua’s boxing camp, having worked with him for several years. They had travelled to Nigeria alongside the boxer to visit his family when the accident occurred.
Joshua later attended an emotional funeral service for the two men at the London Central Mosque on Sunday. The coffins were placed side by side as the Janaza prayer was observed, with hundreds of mourners in attendance before the burial rites continued at a nearby crematorium. A wake followed later in the day.
Reacting to the incident, a Sagamu indigene, Adeniji Taiwo, expressed gratitude that Joshua survived while mourning the loss of the two men. “We thank God we didn’t lose our son. For those who lost their children, God will comfort them,” he said, adding that Joshua should always remember Nigeria as his home.
Addressing concerns that the tragedy might affect Joshua’s relationship with Nigeria, his uncle dismissed such fears. “This is a Christian family, and we take everything with faith,” he said. “Emotionally, you may say anything after such an incident, but with time, you realise this is always your root.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed on Friday that the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Kayode, has been charged at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. He faces counts including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid licence. The case has been adjourned until January 20.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was in Nigeria on holiday following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
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