A shocking revelation has emerged from the world of boxing, leaving fans in a state of disbelief. Anthony Joshua, the renowned boxer, is reportedly calling it quits, according to his uncle Adedamola Joshua. This news comes as a surprise, especially considering Joshua's recent victory over Jake Paul in a highly anticipated match last December. The win not only secured a substantial payday but also set the stage for an even bigger year in 2026.
However, a tragic car accident in Nigeria last week has changed everything. Joshua, who suffered minor injuries, lost two of his closest friends, Latif 'Latz' Ayodele and Sina Ghami, in the accident. The emotional toll of this tragedy has left many wondering if Joshua will ever step back into the ring.
And here's where it gets controversial... According to his uncle, Joshua has made the decision to retire. Adedamola shared with PUNCH, "The major thing is that he has retired from boxing. Each time he fought, we were emotionally invested, and it was traumatic for us too. Now that he's leaving while the applause is loudest, we're happy."
Joshua's relative later confirmed that he had indeed shared his decision with those closest to him.
But what about the plans for Joshua's return? It seemed like he was gearing up for a comeback in February or March, with discussions underway for a potential match against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven. This would have been a chance for the former two-time world champion to continue his resurgence after a setback in 2024.
And this is the part most people miss... Promoter Eddie Hearn had even hinted at a potential match with WBO world champion Fabio Wardley, suggesting that Joshua might have had his eyes on the heavyweight title once again. Hearn stated, "That's the world heavyweight title. That's actually AJ's preference over Tyson Fury. AJ would love to win the world heavyweight title
