Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently shared an update on when the British-Nigerian boxer will return to camp after he survived a tragic car crash that took the lives of two of his close friends.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Joshua, 36, was riding in a Lexus SUV with his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele on an expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, on December 29 when the vehicle collided with a stationary truck. Joshua, who was born to Nigerian parents in England, got injured. But Ghami and Ayodele did not survive.
Per TMZ, Hearn, 46, touched on the topic in Nottingham, England, on February 19. Joshua and fellow boxer Tyson Fury were expected to face off in August, but the tragic crash derailed their blockbuster fight. Hearn, however, stated that Joshua will still return to the ring.
“I believe, late summer, but physically, he’s not yet in a position to return to camp,” Hearn said.
The British boxing promoter also said that the intent was to book an event for July, but that can only happen if Joshua resumes camp training.
“I think every fight is dangerous, coming off what he’s come off,” Hearn said. “We’re open to the Fury fight but probably more likely [near the] end of the year, maybe early 2027.”
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Last month, Joshua posted a video on his social media platforms where he addressed the fatal car crash in Nigeria and emotionally eulogized his two deceased friends, Face2Face Africa reported.
In the six-minute video, the former two-time world heavyweight champion said that he was sharing a short message from the heart,” BBC reported. The British-Nigerian boxer expressed his gratitude to his fans “who were showing so much love, support through that tragic, traumatic time.”
“One day my time will come and I’m not scared either at all,” Joshua also said. “It’s actually comforting knowing I got two brothers on the other side. I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right.”
Besides being close friends, Ghami and Ayodele were also members of Joshua’s team. Ghami had been working for Joshua on a full-time basis for over ten years, BBC reported. He worked as Joshua’s sport and exercise rehabilitation coach. Ayodele, on the other hand, was Joshua’s personal trainer.
In the video, Joshua said that their relationship transcended, as they became close. He also said that they were even staying together.
“We became business partners. We became hustlers. We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything,” he said.
The individual, who was driving the trio at the time of the crash, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
“Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about and have been major players in all of our lives,” Joshua said.
“It’s tough. It’s really tough,” he admitted.
Joshua also said that he was committed to being there for Ghami and Ayodele’s families. He said he will help the grieving families to “achieve their goals” and “fulfill their dreams,” BBC reported.
Following the car crash, rumors swirled about Joshua hanging up his gloves. But the former two-time world heavyweight champion has yet to talk about what he plans to do next.
