iDeemlawful—Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is reportedly contemplating stepping away from professional boxing after a fatal road accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends and long-serving team members on December 29, 2025.
According to The Punch, Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, disclosed the development in an exclusive interview with the newspaper during a visit to the family residence in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Monday.
“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 said.
“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.”
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When asked whether Joshua had formally communicated the decision to the family, he responded, “Yes.”
The 36-year-old boxer is said to have reached the decision following last week’s tragic crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which claimed the lives of his conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua, who escaped the accident with minor injuries, has pledged to support the families of his deceased aides.
He ended his public silence on Sunday with an emotional Instagram post showing images with the bereaved families, captioned “My Brothers Keeper”, alongside two heart emojis and a military helmet symbol — widely seen as a sign of remembrance and protection.
The phrase, taken from Genesis 4:9, reflects a moral responsibility to care for others.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has arraigned the vehicle’s driver, Adeniyi Kayode, on charges including causing death by dangerous driving. Kayode, who denied the allegations, has had his case adjourned until January 20.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been vacationing in Nigeria following his December 19 knockout win over Jake Paul in Miami.