Eddie Hearn, the lifelong promoter of British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, has acknowledged that there is no certainty regarding the boxer’s return to the ring following the devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends.
In a recent statement, Hearn revealed that Joshua is beginning to return to the gym but emphasized that the former world champion is not yet ready to resume full boxing training. The tragic incident occurred after Joshua knocked out Jake Paul with a dramatic one-punch knockout, a victory that had set him up for a busy year. After the win, Joshua traveled to Nigeria to visit his family. However, tragedy struck when the car he was in collided with a parked vehicle, resulting in the loss of two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, both of whom were also part of his camp.
The crash has cast a shadow over Joshua’s immediate boxing prospects, with his previously planned March fight and a potential high-profile clash with Tyson Fury now uncertain. Hearn noted, “I don’t think there is any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time, I expect him to because it’s something that he loves. It’s something he can carry those guys with him, though as well, and it’s something he wants to do.”
Joshua had been gearing up for a March fight, followed by a potential showdown with Fury. However, those plans have been put on hold indefinitely due to the emotional toll the accident has had on the boxer. “From a boxing sense, physically, it wasn’t easy what he went through either. People probably don’t realise the extent of what he’s been through. He’s been training, but he’s not ready yet, and he won’t be for a while to return to boxing training,” Hearn stated, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
While Tyson Fury is also preparing for a return to the ring after more than a year out, facing Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, Joshua’s return remains uncertain. Both fighters had been expected to meet in a much-anticipated bout, but the timeline for that potential fight remains unclear.
Regardless of what Joshua decides in the coming months, it is clear that his decision will be one of deep personal reflection. Fans, analysts, and fellow fighters alike will respect his decision as he continues to cope with the trauma of losing two close friends in such tragic circumstances.
Joshua’s career has been marked by immense success, but the recent tragedy has forced a pause as he processes his grief. For now, boxing fans and the public alike can only wait and hope that the former champion will return to the sport that has defined much of his life, when he feels ready.
