The boxing world holds its breath as the future of former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, hangs in the balance. This follows a tragic car accident on the outskirts of Lagos last week that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and trainers, casting a long shadow over his celebrated career.
A Career Rocked by Tragedy and Recent Losses
Anthony Joshua's journey from the streets of Watford to the pinnacle of world boxing is the stuff of legend. An Olympic gold medalist in 2012 and a two-time unified world champion, his career has been a defining narrative in the sport for over a decade. However, the last five years have presented severe challenges, with the Nigerian-born boxer losing four high-profile bouts.
His last fight was a victory over YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but it was the losses to current undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 that truly reshaped the heavyweight landscape. Despite this, many purists still believed a focused Joshua was the ideal candidate to challenge Usyk again or finally face British rival Tyson Fury in a historic, mega-money bout projected to earn each fighter over £100 million.
All those plans are now on indefinite hold. The fatal crash, which occurred after Joshua's trip to Nigeria following his win over Jake Paul, resulted in the deaths of his strength coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif Ayodele. While Joshua escaped with minor physical injuries, the psychological impact is described as seismic.
Conflicting Reports: Family Urges Retirement, Associates Deny
The tragedy has sparked intense speculation about Joshua's next move. Early this week, his uncle, Adedamola, told a news outlet that the boxer was contemplating retirement on the advice of his family. "The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing," Adedamola was quoted as saying, adding that the family was emotionally relieved.
This report, however, has been countered by Joshua's close associates, who insist the 36-year-old has no immediate plans to quit the sport. They point out that he is still reportedly interested in a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, especially after Fury announced an end to his own hiatus.
The divide in opinion extends to the boxing community. Top WBC Cruiserweight contender, Ajibola Kabiru Towolawi, advised Joshua to "call it a day," citing the immense trauma of losing his corner men and the difficulty of fighting without them. Conversely, Azania Omo-Agege, International Representative on the Nigeria Boxing Federation board, believes the loss could motivate Joshua. He highlighted Joshua's commitments at his friends' funeral services as evidence of his warrior spirit.
The Spiritual and Mental Battle Ahead
Beyond the physical recovery, Joshua faces a profound mental and spiritual reckoning. In a heartfelt reflection shared after the crash, he spoke of the experience as a wake-up call, putting his career and fame into a stark new perspective. "All that’s guaranteed is death. All that’s going to be important is just living to the best of our capability," he was quoted as saying by Boxing King Media.
Promoters and family, including his mother who has been at his bedside, emphasize there is no rush for a return. The priority is giving Joshua the space to heal completely. Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, acknowledged the uncertainty, stating that boxing is the last thing on Joshua's mind now and that a potential super-fight may not happen until late 2026, if at all.
As the sports world waits, the question remains: Will Anthony Joshua find the strength to channel his grief into a return, or will the tragic events near Lagos mark the end of an era for one of boxing's most iconic figures? The answer lies in the champion's own heart and his capacity to overcome what may be his greatest fight yet—a battle far removed from the ring's bright lights.
