Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has said he “expects” Anthony Joshua to return to the ring in the future following the tragic death of two of the heavyweight’s close friends, but he stopped short of offering any certainty about what comes next.
Joshua, now 36, was involved in a road traffic accident in Nigeria on 29 December that claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion sustained only minor physical injuries in the crash, but the emotional toll of the incident has understandably been significant.
Since then, Joshua has kept a relatively low profile. However, he resurfaced publicly in January when he posted footage of himself back in the gym. The video showed him working out and was accompanied by the caption “mental strength therapy,” a phrase that hinted at both his physical recovery and his effort to process the trauma of the tragedy.
Hearn, who has guided Joshua’s professional career since his Olympic gold medal triumph at London 2012, addressed the boxer’s future in an interview with First Round TV. While he believes Joshua will fight again, he acknowledged that nothing can be taken for granted given the circumstances.
“I don’t think there are any guarantees he fights again,” Hearn said. “But at the same time, I expect him to, because it’s something he loves. It’s part of who he is.”
The promoter suggested that returning to boxing could serve as a form of healing and tribute. Hearn noted that the sport is not just a profession for Joshua but a passion that has shaped his identity for over a decade. In his view, stepping back into the ring might allow Joshua to channel his grief and honour the memory of his friends in a meaningful way.
Hearn also revealed that the physical impact of the accident was more serious than many realised, even if Joshua avoided major injuries. “From a boxing sense, physically it wasn’t easy what he went through either,” he said. “People probably don’t realise the extent of that.”
Although Joshua has resumed some level of training, Hearn was clear that he is not yet ready to return to full boxing camp. “He has been training, but he is not ready yet and won’t be for a while to return to boxing training,” he explained. The distinction suggests that while Joshua is maintaining general fitness, he has not begun the intense preparation required for a professional bout.
In the weeks following the accident, Joshua largely avoided the spotlight. That changed slightly when he was seen cage-side at a Professional Fighters League (PFL) event in Dubai on Saturday. The appearance marked one of his first public outings since the tragedy and indicated that he is gradually re-engaging with the combat sports world.
Joshua’s most recent fight came on 19 December, just days before the fatal crash. On that night, he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul via sixth-round stoppage, improving his professional record to 29 wins and four defeats. The victory was seen as another step in rebuilding his momentum after previous setbacks in his career.
After dispatching Paul, Joshua had made it clear that he was targeting a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. The all-British heavyweight clash has been discussed for years but has repeatedly failed to materialise. Following his December win, Joshua expressed confidence that a fight with Fury could finally happen in 2026.
However, events have since complicated those plans. Fury himself ended a brief retirement in January by announcing he would return to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in the United Kingdom on 11 April. That development kept the possibility of a future Joshua-Fury encounter alive, but Hearn admitted that the timeline has now shifted considerably.
“Before this terrible incident, we were geared up to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury,” Hearn revealed. “Obviously, that is not happening now, and I don’t know if it will ever happen right now.”
The promoter’s comments reflect the uncertainty surrounding Joshua’s immediate future. While the ambition to face Fury may still exist, the priority at present is Joshua’s well-being — both mentally and physically. Hearn indicated that the next few months will likely be about gradually increasing training intensity and assessing where Joshua stands.
“I think in the next few weeks and months, he may start to return and just turn the dial up a little bit more on training and see where he is at,” Hearn added.
For Joshua, boxing has been a central part of his life since he burst onto the global stage at the 2012 Olympics. He went on to capture multiple world titles and become one of the sport’s biggest commercial stars. Throughout his career, he has faced both triumph and adversity, including high-profile defeats and subsequent comebacks.
Yet this latest challenge is of a different nature. The loss of close friends is not something that can be measured in rounds or rankings. Decisions about returning to the ring will depend not only on physical readiness but also on emotional resilience.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. A comeback later this year remains possible, especially given Joshua’s love for the sport and competitive drive. However, Hearn’s words serve as a reminder that boxing, for all its drama and spectacle, must take a back seat to personal healing.
For now, Joshua appears to be focusing on rebuilding step by step — starting with light training, reconnecting with the sport at events, and gradually evaluating his readiness for a full return. Whether that ultimately leads to a long-awaited clash with Fury or another chapter in his storied career remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the coming months will be pivotal. The heavyweight division continues to evolve, but Anthony Joshua’s next move will depend entirely on when — and if — he feels ready to fight again.
For more boxing news and exclusive updates, visit:
👉 https://netsports247.com
