It’s been nearly a month since the devastating car crash that shattered Anthony Joshua’s world, claiming the lives of two of his closest friends and leaving the former heavyweight champion grappling with both physical injuries and profound emotional trauma. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the boxing world eagerly speculates about his return to the ring, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, insists there’s no timeline—and no pressure.
The accident, which occurred near Lagos, Nigeria, on December 29, involved Joshua, his friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, and driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode. Ayodele and Ghami tragically lost their lives, while Kayode faces multiple charges in a case that has been adjourned until February 25. Joshua, who has deep familial roots in Nigeria, survived but is now on a path of recovery that extends far beyond the physical.
In a recent interview with BoxingScene and during the DAZN broadcast of the Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz fight in Las Vegas, Hearn addressed the burning question on everyone’s mind: When will Joshua fight again? His response was unequivocal: “It’s not even been discussed.” Hearn emphasized that Joshua’s focus is on healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and on supporting the families of his late friends. “If the time comes where he goes, ‘I’m ready,’ then he’ll go back into training camp,” Hearn explained. “But it’s got to come from within.”
And this is the part most people miss: While Joshua has been spotted hitting pads, Hearn revealed this is more about therapy than training. In fact, Joshua has been gently reprimanded by his physio for pushing himself too hard against medical advice. “He shouldn’t have been doing that,” Hearn admitted. “It’s not about rushing back to boxing. It’s about letting Anthony return when—and if—he’s truly ready.”
Hearn remains confident that Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion with a 29-4 record and a 2012 Olympic gold medal, will eventually return to the sport. But he stresses that the decision must be Joshua’s alone. “It won’t come through me or anybody else asking, ‘When do you think you want to fight again?’ It’s got to come from within,” Hearn reiterated.
This raises a thought-provoking question: In a sport where comebacks are often rushed for financial or competitive reasons, is Joshua’s approach a refreshing reminder of the
