Multiple media outlets in the UK and Nigeria reported this week that members of Joshua’s extended family have suggested the former two-time unified heavyweight champion is considering retirement. The reports, which have circulated widely on social media, claim Joshua has communicated his intention informally rather than through an official statement.
Neither Joshua nor his management team has confirmed the reports. His promoter has also declined to issue a formal response, leaving the heavyweight division facing renewed uncertainty over one of its most commercially significant figures.
Joshua, 36, remains one of boxing’s most recognisable global names, having held the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles and headlined major bouts in the UK, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Despite suffering high-profile defeats in recent years, he has continued to draw large audiences and generate strong pay-per-view numbers, making his future a matter of keen interest to promoters and broadcasters.
Industry analysts note that any decision by Joshua to retire would have material implications for the heavyweight landscape. Potential blockbuster match-ups—long discussed but repeatedly delayed—would fall away, while contenders lower down the rankings would see opportunities open up more quickly than anticipated.
At the same time, caution remains widespread within boxing circles. Joshua has previously spoken about the mental and physical toll of elite competition, but he has also stressed the importance of timing and legacy when considering retirement. Without a direct statement from the boxer himself, several observers believe the current reports may reflect a period of personal reassessment rather than a definitive end to his career.
For now, Joshua’s status remains officially unchanged. Until a formal announcement is made, the story continues to sit in the space between private reflection and public decision—one that the boxing world will be watching closely.