Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua is reportedly considering retirement from boxing following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and members of his training team.

Joshua’s uncle disclosed this in an exclusive interview, saying the 36-year-old boxer had privately informed his family of his intention to step away from the sport after the incident.

“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad,” his uncle said. “Each time he’s fighting, the emotional trauma is too much for us as a family. Now that he has said he wants to leave while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”

When asked if the decision was directly communicated to the family, he replied, “Yes.”

The accident occurred last week along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and members of his team collided with a stationary truck. Two of his close associates, Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, his personal trainer, died instantly. Joshua was rescued from the wreckage and treated for minor injuries.

Deeply affected by the loss, Joshua has reportedly pledged lifelong support to the families of the deceased. He broke his silence on Sunday with an emotional Instagram post titled “My Brother’s Keeper,” sharing photos with the bereaved families.

A source close to the boxer told The Sun that Joshua is fiercely loyal and considers the late Ghami and Ayodele integral to his career, having worked with them for years.

Joshua also attended their funeral service at the London Central Mosque, where mourners gathered to pay their final respects.

Reacting to the incident, residents of Joshua’s ancestral hometown of Sagamu, Ogun State, expressed relief over his survival while mourning the victims. One indigene, Adeniji Taiwo, described Joshua as the pride of the community and prayed for his safety going forward.

Addressing concerns that the tragedy might distance Joshua from Nigeria, his uncle dismissed such fears, saying, “No matter what happens emotionally, this is his root. This is home.”

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Kayode, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other related offences. The case has been adjourned to January 20.

Joshua, who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents, was visiting Nigeria after his recent sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami. While no official retirement announcement has been made by the boxer himself, his uncle’s comments have intensified speculation that the tragedy may mark the end of his illustrious boxing career.