VERDICT: FALSE
The Claim Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, are awash with reports claiming British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has officially retired from professional boxing effective immediately. These claims are fueled by a viral video circulating online in which Joshua appears to announce his resignation from the sport following his recent accident in Nigeria.
The Facts Anthony Joshua has not retired from boxing. While the former two-time unified heavyweight champion was involved in a serious road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in late December 2025, reports of his retirement are entirely unfounded.
Matchroom Boxing has issued no such statement. To the contrary, official communications from his team have focused solely on his recovery and the tragic loss of his two team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. The standing plan for his career, as outlined by promoter Eddie Hearn prior to the incident, remains a farewell campaign in 2026.
Debunking the Viral Video The primary driver of this rumour is a video clip circulating on social media channels. The video appears to show Joshua stating, “I have decided to retire from boxing…”
This video is a Deepfake. Analysis by digital forensics reveals clear signs of artificial manipulation:
- Source Footage: The visual base of the deepfake utilizes recycled footage from a previous interview, digitally altered to fit the current narrative.
- Audio Discrepancies: The voice, while sounding like Joshua, lacks the natural cadence of a human speaker and was likely generated using AI voice synthesis tools.
- Lip Sync Errors: At several points in the video, the lip movements do not synchronize with the spoken words—a classic hallmark of AI-generated content.
The Context Joshua is currently in Lagos recovering from the accident which occurred shortly after his victory over Jake Paul in December. He was discharged from the hospital on December 31 and has been seen in Lagos paying respects to his late colleagues. He is expected to return to the UK shortly.
Anthony Joshua remains an active heavyweight boxer. The viral video announcing his retirement is an artificially manufactured deepfake. Please rely on official channels for updates on his career.
