Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has informed his family he intends to retire from professional boxing in the wake of a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his friends.
A Miraculous Escape from Tragedy
The shocking news follows an incident last Monday, 5 January 2026, where the boxer was involved in a serious collision. The vehicle Anthony Joshua was travelling in crashed with a truck. While Joshua himself escaped without fatal injury, the accident proved deadly for two of his close companions.
Family Relief at Retirement Decision
Joshua's uncle, Adedamola Joshua, has publicly revealed the fighter's decision to step away from the sport. Speaking to The Punch, he expressed the family's complex emotions, stating their relief that the intense emotional toll of his career would now cease.
"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," Adedamola said.
He elaborated on the strain of watching the former champion compete, describing the visceral fear experienced by his family. "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."
Leaving While the Ovation is Loudest
The family supports Joshua's choice to end his career on his own terms following the traumatic event. His uncle framed the decision as a positive step, noting, "Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy."
This statement suggests Joshua is retiring at a peak moment, coming off a high-profile victory over internet sensation turned boxer Jake Paul. The announcement marks a sudden and poignant end to a storied career that saw him become a two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world.
The boxing world now awaits official confirmation from Anthony Joshua or his management regarding his future, as the sport digests the loss of one of its biggest stars under the most tragic of circumstances.
