Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is seriously considering retirement from the sport, his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, has said.
Adedamola disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH during a visit to the family home in Sagamu, Ogun State, following a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends and team members.
The 36-year-old boxer, who survived the accident, was said to have privately communicated the decision to his family after last week’s tragedy.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” Adedamola told The PUNCH.
He added:
“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us, also. Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”
Asked if Joshua had directly informed the family of his decision, his uncle replied, “Yes.”
The boxer has also pledged lifelong support to the families of his two deceased aides, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, who died in the accident near Lagos last Monday.
Joshua broke his public silence on Sunday, sharing photographs with the bereaved families on Instagram. His post carried the caption “My Brothers Keeper”, accompanied by two heart emojis and a military helmet symbol. The phrase references Genesis 4:9, conveying a moral responsibility to care for others.
A source within Joshua’s camp told UK publication The Sun:
“AJ is fiercely loyal to his friends and their families and will be there for them for the rest of their lives. He’s had the same team around him for his whole career, and that team included Sina and Latz.”
Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer, both playing key roles in his boxing career.
The two men had travelled with Joshua to Nigeria to visit his family when tragedy struck. Their Lexus SUV reportedly collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, killing Ghami and Ayodele instantly. Joshua was extracted from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
On Sunday, Joshua attended an emotional funeral service at the London Central Mosque, where the Janaza prayer was observed. The coffins were placed side by side as mourners gathered before the bodies were taken to a nearby crematorium. A wake followed later in the day.
Reacting to the incident, a Sagamu indigene, Adeniji Taiwo, expressed gratitude that Joshua survived.
“We thank God we didn’t lose our son, and for those who lost their children, God will help us to comfort them,” Taiwo said.
“We feel bad that happened to our son, who was already almost home when he had the accident, but we thank God, and we pray nothing like that will happen to him again.”
Joshua’s uncle also addressed concerns about the boxer’s relationship with Nigeria following the tragedy.
“There are a lot of things we have heard, but this is a Christian family, and everything we take with faith,” he said.
“Once something like that happens, emotionally, you can say anything, but as time goes on, you know this is (always) your root.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed on Friday that Adeniyi Kayode, who was driving the vehicle with Joshua as a passenger, has been charged before a Sagamu Magistrate Court.
Kayode faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s license. The case was adjourned to 20 January.
Kayode’s lawyer told the Daily Mail:
“My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident. I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet, but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.”
