By Wellington Jopelo
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said the former world heavyweight champion will determine the course of his boxing career “when the time is right,” following a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close team members.
The 36-year-old boxer sustained minor injuries in the December 29 accident near Lagos, which killed his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer, Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Since the incident, Joshua has returned to training, sharing a Snapchat video of himself hitting pads with the caption “mental strength therapy,” signaling his gradual recovery nearly three weeks after the tragedy.
Hearn emphasized that Joshua needs time to recover fully before making any decisions. “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,” he said.
The promoter added that Joshua’s well-being remains the top 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, he will make his decision, and you will hear it from him. That is the only voice you should listen to in that respect.”
Joshua had fought and defeated Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, just ten days before the accident, while on holiday in Nigeria.