After two of his close friends died in a vehicle accident in Nigeria, Anthony Joshua may decide to give up boxing, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn stated that while the former heavyweight champion is still recuperating both mentally and physically from the Ogun State accident in December, there are no assurances that he will venture back into the ring.
Joshua reportedly stopped Jake Paul with a single punch in his last fight and then traveled to Nigeria to see family. Tragically, though, on December 29, 2025, his car collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua’s trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning instructor, Sina Ghami, perished in the collision. After surviving, Joshua received medical attention at a hospital before leaving for the UK. Later, he was present for both men’s funeral operations.
Speaking to First Round TV, Hearn acknowledged that it’s still uncertain what Joshua’s future in the sport holds.
Although I don’t believe there are any promises that he will fight again, I do anticipate him to because he enjoys it. Nevertheless, Hearn stated, “He wants to do it and he can take those guys with him.”
The crash’s effects extended beyond psychological distress, he continued.
From a boxing perspective, his physical struggles weren’t easy either. It’s likely that many are unaware of the circumstances he has faced. He has been working out, but the boxing promoter pointed out that he is not yet ready and won’t be for some time returning to boxing training.
Joshua had been training for a fight in March, Hearn revealed, with a possible matchup against fellow Briton Tyson Fury being considered. Now those plans are on hold.
In preparation for his March bout against Tyson Fury, we were preparing him. That will not happen today, of course. It may or may not ever happen. He will increase the intensity of his training over the next few months to assess his progress, Hearn stated.
After more than a year away from the ring, Fury is expected to make his comeback performance against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.
Joshua has tattooed his pals’ names on his body as an homage to his departed companions. Fulham Tattoo, a business located in London, posted pictures of the artwork on Instagram and said the two-time world champion stopped by unexpectedly for his first session.
The post said, “We are really grateful to Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion of the world, for coming in a few weeks ago for his first visit to Fulham Tattoo London. He was very unexpected and unannounced.
Joshua has not yet discussed his future in boxing in public.
