Accident Forces Anthony Joshua To Consider Retirement Uncle

Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, is seriously considering retiring from the sport following a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest aides, his uncle Adedamola Joshua has revealed.

The 36-year-old British-Nigerian boxer narrowly escaped death last week after a Lexus SUV he was travelling in crashed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash killed two of his long-time team members and friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, on the spot.

Speaking in an interview with Punch at the family residence in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Monday, Adedamola disclosed that the family had received news of Joshua’s decision to quit boxing.

He said, “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.

“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.”

When asked if Joshua had communicated the decision directly, Adedamola confirmed, “Yes.”

In the wake of the tragedy, Joshua broke his silence via an emotional Instagram post on Sunday, sharing photos with the grieving families. The post, captioned “My Brothers’ Keeper”, featured two heart emojis and a military helmet.

A source from his 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 was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele served as his personal trainer both vital parts of the boxer’s support system.

The fatal crash occurred last Monday when Joshua and his team were returning from a visit to his extended family. Their vehicle slammed into a stationary truck, killing Ghami and Ayodele instantly. Joshua was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital with minor injuries.

He later attended the funeral service of his late team members at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, where Janaza prayers were offered in a sombre ceremony. Hundreds gathered to pay their final respects before the coffins were taken to a nearby crematorium. A wake followed later in the afternoon.

Back home, residents of Sagamu expressed mixed feelings, relief over Joshua’s survival and sorrow for the deceased.

Adeniji Taiwo, a community elder, said, “We thank God we didn’t lose our son, and for those who lost their children, God will help us to comfort them.

“I believe the fear will be there for him not to come back home, but I will advise him to come back home because he can’t leave his father’s place. This is his home.”

“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 that nothing like that will happen to him again.”

Amid speculations that Joshua may distance himself from Nigeria following the traumatic experience, his uncle downplayed such fears.

“There are a lot of things we have heard, but this is a Christian family, and everything we take with faith.

“Once something like that happens, emotionally, you can say anything, but as time goes on, you know this is always your root,” Adedamola said.