Anthony Joshua’s boxing future remains uncertain, but his longtime promoter Anthony Joshua still believes the former two-time heavyweight champion will eventually return to the ring.
Joshua’s career and life was shaken last month when he survived a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest confidants: strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif Adoyele. The crash occurred just 10 days after Joshua scored a sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul, a win that had positioned him for a quick turnaround fight early in 2026.
Now, the focus has shifted far beyond boxing. Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn offered an update on Joshua’s status Saturday while in Las Vegas promoting Raymond Muratalla’s IBF lightweight title defense against Andy Cruz on DAZN.
“There is hardly any boxing talk at the moment,” Eddie Hearn said. “It was good to see him. Obviously, he has a lot to get over after the tragic accident and mourn the loss of his two closest friends and integral parts of his team.
“Physically and emotionally, he’s recovering, and boxing will be a conversation probably in the coming months, maybe, rather than weeks. I know Anthony is a competitor and loves the game. But right now we’re giving him the space he needs to heal.”
Boxing on Hold, Healing Comes First
Before the accident, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) appeared poised for a rapid return, with discussions centering on a February bout that could have served as a springboard toward a long-anticipated all-British mega-fight with Tyson Fury.
That matchup one of the biggest unmade fights in modern heavyweight boxing finally seemed close to becoming reality before tragedy intervened.
Now, the timeline is completely open-ended.
Joshua escaped the crash with minor physical injuries, but the emotional toll has been profound. Ghami and Adoyele were not just members of his team, but close personal friends who played key roles in his preparation and daily life.
A Competitor at Heart
Despite the uncertainty, Hearn remains confident that Joshua’s competitive instincts will eventually draw him back.
Those close to Joshua have long described him as someone driven by challenge and legacy, traits that helped him reclaim the heavyweight title twice and remain one of boxing’s biggest global draws. Still, Eddie Hearn emphasized there is no rush and no pressure to make any decisions now.
For the time being, the boxing world waits.
Whether Joshua ever steps into the ring again, or eventually shares it with Fury, will be decided later. For now, the priority is simple: recovery, reflection, and healing with the sport taking a distant back seat.
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
