Anthony Joshua May Quit Boxing After Deadly Nigeria Crash — Uncle Gives Reason

• Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is considering stepping away from boxing following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and members of his team.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua may be nearing the end of his boxing career following a fatal car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends and team members.

Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed that the 36-year-old boxer has privately communicated his intention to retire from the sport in the aftermath of last week’s tragedy.

“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad,” Adedamola said during a visit to the family home in Sagamu. “Each time he’s fighting, we are emotionally drained. Whenever he’s knocked down, it feels like our hearts are coming out. Now that he has said he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”

Asked whether Joshua personally informed the family of his decision, his uncle replied simply, “Yes.”

The fatal accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and members of his team collided with a stationary truck. Two key members of his camp — Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, his personal trainer — died instantly at the scene.

Joshua was rescued from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Following the incident, the boxing star pledged lifelong support to the families of the deceased. He later broke his public silence on social media, sharing photos with the bereaved relatives and captioning the post “My Brother’s Keeper,” a reference to a biblical obligation of care and responsibility.

A source close to Joshua said the boxer remains deeply loyal to his inner circle and is committed to supporting the families of Ghami and Ayodele for life, noting that both men had been part of his team throughout his professional career.

Joshua attended an emotional funeral service for the two men at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, where Islamic funeral prayers were observed before the final rites.

Reacting to the incident, a Sagamu resident, Adeniji Taiwo, expressed gratitude that Joshua survived the crash while mourning the loss of the two men.

“We thank God we didn’t lose our son,” he said. “This is his home, and we pray nothing like this happens to him again.”

Addressing concerns that the tragedy might affect Joshua’s ties to Nigeria, his uncle said the family remained grounded in faith.

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“Emotionally, you may say many things after such an incident, but with time, you remember your roots,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Kayode, has been charged before a Sagamu Magistrate Court with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The case has been adjourned until January 20.

Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been in Nigeria on holiday following his sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.