Anthony Joshua returns to training as Hearn addresses future

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said the former world heavyweight champion will determine his boxing future “when the time is right” following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close members of his team. The 36-year-old sustained minor injuries in the December 29 accident near Lagos, which resulted in […]

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said the former world heavyweight champion will determine his boxing future “when the time is right” following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close members of his team.

The 36-year-old sustained minor injuries in the December 29 accident near Lagos, which resulted in the deaths of his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

Joshua has since returned to training, sharing a Snapchat video of himself hitting pads with the caption “mental strength therapy”, a sign of his gradual return to normalcy nearly three weeks after the incident.

“He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually before he decides on his future. I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right,” Hearn said.

The promoter stressed that Joshua’s well-being remains the priority.

“The only conversation is ‘are you OK?’… what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved. When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision, and you will hear it from him. That is the only voice you should listen to in that respect,” he added.

Joshua had defeated Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, just ten days before the crash, which occurred while he was on holiday in Nigeria.

Hearn believes the former world heavyweight champion will eventually return to boxing after taking time to grieve the loss of his two close friends.