Anthony Joshua allegedly set to 'retire from boxing' following tragic car crash that killed two friends

Anthony Joshua's family has claimed the former heavyweight champion has 'retired from boxing'.

The 36-year-old was involved in a horror car crash in Nigeria last Monday (December 29) that claimed the lives of two key members of his boxing team - his strength coach, Sina Ghami, and his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele.

The Brit was riding in the passenger seat of the Lexus Jeep which collided with a stationary truck on a highway in Ogun State near Lagos, with driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode having since been charged with four separate offences.

The 46-year-old, who appeared before Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

Joshua lost two friends in the tragic car accident (sina_evolve / Instagram)

Joshua was discharged from hospital just a couple days later, and flew back to London over the weekend to attend the funerals of both Ghami and Ayodele - which took place in a mosque in the English capital, on Sunday.

Despite escaping the road traffic accident with minor injuries, Joshua's uncle Adedamola Joshua has alleged to local Nigerian boxing outlet, The Punch, that his nephew will not climb into the ring again.

Speaking from his home yesterday, he said: "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."

When asked whether the boxer had communicated what he said to the family, Adedamola added: "Yes."

A family member of Joshua's has said they were told by him he is retiring (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images for Netflix)

A highly-anticipated fight between Joshua and fellow former heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has long been on the cards - something the British public have been hoping to see for the best part of a decade.

Speaking to ITV News, Fury's boxing promoter, Frank Warren, said: "This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of physically well but mentally is another issue.

"I don’t even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again or if he will ever fight again, that is something that only time will tell."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].

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