Anthony Joshua’s long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes the former two-time heavyweight world champion is likely to return to boxing, but insists there is no rush as the fighter continues to recover from a devastating personal tragedy.
Joshua’s future has been the subject of intense debate following a fatal car accident in Nigeria last month, which claimed the lives of two of his closest confidants — strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif Adoyele.
Speaking in Las Vegas over the weekend, Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn said he recently met with Joshua and described the moment as more about emotional support than boxing plans. Hearn was in the United States promoting Raymond Muratalla’s successful IBF lightweight title defence against Andy Cruz on DAZN.
“There is hardly any boxing talk at the moment,” Hearn told reporters. “It was good to see him. Obviously, he has a lot to get over after the tragic accident and the loss of two people who were not just part of his team, but close friends.”
Hearn noted that Joshua is still in the process of healing, both physically and emotionally, and any discussion about his boxing future will come later.
“Physically and emotionally, he’s recovering. Boxing will probably be a conversation in the coming months, maybe, rather than weeks. Anthony is a competitor and he loves the sport, but right now, we’re giving him the space he needs,” he added.
The life-altering accident occurred on December 29, just 10 days after Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in six rounds. Prior to the crash, the British-Nigerian boxer, who holds a professional record of 29 wins and four losses with 26 knockouts, was expected to return to the ring as early as February.
The tragedy has, however, cast doubt over whether Joshua will ever fight again, particularly as boxing fans had been hopeful that a long-awaited showdown with fellow Briton Tyson Fury was finally close to being agreed. Fury currently holds a record of 34 wins, two losses and one draw.
Despite the uncertainty, Hearn remains cautiously optimistic.
“I feel like he will return to the sport,” Hearn said. “But when the time is right — if that time even comes again — the decision will come from Anthony Joshua himself.”
