Eddie Hearn has conceded that Anthony Joshua’s boxing career could be over following the devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of his inner circle.
The British heavyweight’s promoter, who has worked alongside Joshua since his professional debut in 2013, acknowledged uncertainty about whether the former world champion will ever step back into the ring.
Strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, known as ‘Latz’, both perished in the road collision near Lagos in late December.
Joshua himself came perilously close to losing his life, only surviving because he switched seats before the vehicle departed on its journey.
The fatal collision occurred on a road near Lagos at the end of December, leaving Joshua hospitalised over the New Year period before he was flown back to Britain.
He touched down at London Stansted Airport on 2 January and has since been recovering at his home.
A funeral service for both Ghami and Ayodele was held on Sunday 4 January at a mosque in London, where Joshua paid his respects alongside the families of his fallen friends.
Eddie Hearn has conceded that Anthony Joshua’s boxing career could be over following the devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of his inner circle
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PA
Prior to the ceremony, the heavyweight shared an image on social media posing with relatives of the deceased, accompanied by the caption: “My brothers keeper.”
The tragedy has left many questioning whether Joshua will ever compete again.
Speaking to IFL, Hearn revealed he has yet to meet with Joshua in person since the horrific incident.
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“It’s not easy,” the promoter said. “He is keeping himself busy.
“Physically, he is getting himself over the injuries that he suffered. They are not injuries that will affect him long-term moving forward. But they are injuries that will take time.”
Hearn emphasised that the brutal nature of professional boxing demands complete physical readiness before any fighter can resume training camp.
“Boxing is a tough and rough sport. You can’t just go back in camp with injuries like that and I do not know when or even if he will go back into camp,” he explained.
“At the moment, there is no conversation or no need to have a conversation about that.”
Despite images emerging of Joshua back in the gymnasium hitting pads in mid-January, Hearn insisted this should not be interpreted as preparation for a comeback.
Anthony Joshua has been working hard in the gym but his boxing future remains uncertain
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“AJ will always train,” the promoter stated.
“Do not forget that boxing changed his life forever and he will never leave the gym.
“What you are seeing at the moment is not him training for his return. He is training for his own mind. And he is training for himself to recover and repair. I just cannot believe his strength and resilience.”
Joshua himself described his workout sessions as “mental strength therapy” on Snapchat.
Breaking his silence on 8 January via Instagram, Joshua wrote: “100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents.
“I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”
