Anthony Joshua Would Return to Boxing After His Tragic Accident
Anthony Joshua could return to the ring despite the personal blow he suffered after a tragic car accident in Nigeria, according to his lifelong promoter, Eddie Hearn. The former two-time heavyweight world champion is going through one of the most difficult moments of his career, both inside and outside the boxing ring.
Joshua’s future has been widely debated ever since he survived a fatal accident last month, which claimed the lives of two key members of his team: his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and his trainer, Latif Adoyele, both considered essential parts of his inner circle.
Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, met with Joshua last week and provided an update this Saturday in Las Vegas, during the event where Raymond Muratalla successfully defended the IBF lightweight title against Andy Cruz, in a DAZN broadcast.
“Right now, there’s hardly any talk about boxing with Anthony,” Hearn explained. “It was good to see him, but he’s going through a very difficult process after the accident and the loss of two of his closest friends and pillars of his team.”
The promoter added that Joshua is in a process of physical and emotional recovery, and any conversation about his return to the ring will take place later:
“Boxing will be a topic in a few months, not weeks. Anthony is a natural competitor and loves the sport, but right now the most important thing is giving him the space he needs to heal.”
An uncertain future after the accident
The accident occurred on December 29, just ten days after Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in six rounds. Before the tragedy, the Briton (29-4, 26 KOs) was trending toward a quick return in February, staying active among the heavyweight elite.
Now, the boxing world is left wondering if Anthony Joshua will ever step back into the ring, especially as the long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) seemed, at last, close to happening.
Despite the doubts, Eddie Hearn remains optimistic:
“I feel like he will return to boxing. If that moment comes—and only if it comes—it will be a decision that comes solely from Anthony Joshua.”
