The truth about Anthony Joshua retiring after ‘leaked’ conversation | Boxing | Sport

Anthony Joshua has no intention of hanging up his gloves following a horrific car accident in Nigeria last week that claimed the lives of two close friends. The former heavyweight champion sustained only minor injuries in the devastating crash that sent shockwaves through the sport.

Joshua paid his respects at the funerals of Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami in London last Sunday after returning home alongside his mother. The 36-year-old has remained silent publicly regarding both the tragic incident and his boxing future. Following his knockout victory over Jake Paul last month, Joshua was expected to step back into the ring as soon as Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia.

He is also reportedly scheduled to clash with long-standing rival Tyson Fury in September, following Fury’s declaration of an end to his year-long hiatus from the sport.

However, despite claims from someone allegedly representing Joshua’s uncle that the fighter had informed his family of his intention to retire, it is understood that no such resolution has been reached.

Adedamola Joshua told The Punch in Nigeria: “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.”

Joshua had been holidaying in Nigeria – his parents’ birthplace – celebrating his triumph over Paul when his vehicle collided with a stationary lorry on one of the nation’s most perilous thoroughfares.

Joshua’s driver was charged last week with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

An eyewitness to the crash, Ajala Yusuf, explained to Sky News: “He [Joshua] was shocked at the deadliness of the incident. He was shocked. He couldn’t talk.

“We heard a noise, ‘boom’. We thought it was one of those trucks whose tyre had burst. We then saw a car drive under a truck that was parked on the highway, and we rushed down to see what had happened.”