Anthony Joshua’s ‘Uncle’ Provides Huge Update on Boxing Career After Car Crash
After surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, questions have inevitably been raised over whether Anthony Joshua will ever return to the boxing ring, with recent comments made by the two-time world champion’s ‘uncle’ only fuelling further speculation.
The Olympic gold medallist was a back-seat passenger in a Lexus SUV when it collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria on Monday the 29th of December, and while AJ survived with only minor injuries, the crash tragically killed Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Latif’ Ayodele, both close friends of Joshua and key members of his team.
On Sunday, Joshua attended the funerals of Ghami and Ayodele, both held at the London Central Mosque, and issued his first social media update since the tragic accident. The 36-year-old posted a photo of himself sitting alongside his mother and the family members of his two friends with the caption, “My Brothers Keeper.”
What Next For Anthony Joshua
The car crash in Nigeria happened just 10 days after AJ defeated Jake Paul in Miami, Florida, with rumours swirling that the Brit was gearing up for a big 2026 — potentially headlined by his long-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury in September.
While The Gypsy King has just announced his comeback out of retirement, Joshua’s future has understandably become less certain, with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, and Matchroom Boxing yet to provide further comment other than initial statements released on the night of the accident.
However, recent comments made by AJ’s ‘uncle’, Adedamola Joshua, to Nigerian newspaper, The Punch, have sparked speculation that the former world champion is set to retire from the sport altogether.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing,” Adedamola said. “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.”
The ‘uncle’ of the British boxing legend was then asked by The Punch whether Joshua had in fact communicated that decision with the family, to which Adedamola responded: “Yes.”
However, in a recent development from the Daily Mail, they have been told that Joshua has NO PLANS of retiring, and Adedamola does not speak for or represent the British heavyweight. As of writing this article, AJ’s representatives haven’t commented on his future in the sport.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Update
While nothing has yet been officially confirmed regarding AJ’s future, which is also hardly his most important concern right now, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently suggested to The Mirror that any fight between AJ and Fury is now unlikely to take place until late 2026, if it takes place at all.
“There’s obviously a lot bigger things going on than boxing with two people losing their lives,” Warren said. “I can’t see that fight [with AJ] happening now, certainly not until very late in the New Year.”
In a separate interview with ITV News, Warren questioned whether a fight would be possible at all, stating: “This is an awful time for everyone involved. Physically, hopefully AJ has come out of it well. But mentally is another issue. I don’t even know if he’ll have the appetite to fight again.”
If the clash with Joshua fails to materialise, a bout between Fury and Fabio Wardley could be an option, as The Gypsy King shared a tale of the tape comparing him and the WBO heavyweight champion on his Instagram story, adding the caption: “Big smoke for the GK after a long lay-off could be an option later in 2026 god willing.”
