Anthony Joshua Household Alerts Retirement As Determination Waits

Sports

January 6, 2026

Anthony Joshua’s boxing future remains publicly unresolved, even as members of his family speak as though the decision has already been made.

Comments attributed to Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, indicate that the former two-time heavyweight champion has told his family he is finished with the sport, with his career already standing at 33 professional fights. Speaking to Nigerian outlet The PUNCH, Adedamola described the decision as a relief for the family, citing the emotional strain of watching Joshua compete over the years and the fear that accompanied every fight.

Those remarks emerged during a period of personal loss for Joshua. On January 4, he attended funerals for two close friends and long-time members of his team, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who were killed in a car crash near Lagos. Joshua later returned to social media for the first time since the incident but made no reference to boxing or his future in the sport.

Subsequent reporting has suggested that Joshua has not yet issued a formal decision on retirement and is still considering whether he wants to continue without two figures who were central to his training structure and daily routine. There has been no official confirmation from Joshua or his management.

At 36, Joshua’s résumé is already settled. He won Olympic gold. He held multiple versions of the heavyweight title. He played a central role in restoring boxing’s commercial profile in the UK. Any further fights would add context rather than definition.

A long-discussed bout with Tyson Fury had been loosely associated with 2026, though no agreement was ever in place. Recent events have only added uncertainty to whether that matchup will ever materialise.

For now, Joshua’s status remains unchanged on the record. Family statements suggest finality. Official confirmation has not followed. Until Joshua speaks directly, his career remains paused rather than formally closed.

Still, if this is the end, it would reflect completion rather than retreat.

Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2014, offering readers a clear ringside perspective and thoughtful analysis on many of the sport’s biggest nights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, corner adjustments, and the technical details that shape high-level bouts. Over the years, Olly has reported on major cards in Las Vegas, New York, London, and across the UK boxing circuit, earning a reputation for levelheaded, detail-driven coverage.

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