Anthony Joshua’s uncle claims former two-time world champion set to retire

Anthony Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola, has claimed that the former two-time world heavyweight champion is set to retire from boxing.

Joshua defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul last time out on December 19 in Miami, where he knocked out the American in the sixth round of the showdown.

The boxing match between Paul and Joshua was one of the most-watched in recent times.

It was Joshua’s comeback fight since his loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, a match in which he sustained injuries.

It was also believed that ‘AJ’ had agreed a deal for a fight with Tyson Fury, and the showdown was expected to take place in 2026.

But his world was turned upside down when he lost his close friends Latif 'Latz' Ayodele and Sina Ghami and sustained minor injuries in a car crash in Nigeria last week.

The accident occurred when Joshua’s Lexus Jeep collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway last Monday.

Joshua was rushed to the hospital after the incident, where he received treatment and was discharged on Wednesday.

He returned to the UK and recently attended the funeral of his friends, at the London Central Mosque, who were also his team members.

Given the serious nature of the tragedy, many questioned whether the former champion would be able to box again.

Meanwhile, his uncle Adedamola has claimed that Joshua has thrown his last punch in the squared circle.

He told PUNCH in a bombshell update: "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. 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.”