Anthony Joshua will not be rushed into decisions about his boxing career as he recovers physically and emotionally from a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn said the former two-time heavyweight world champion’s wellbeing had taken precedence over any discussion about fights or long-term plans, following the accident near Lagos on December 29.
Joshua was travelling in the vehicle when it crashed, killing Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
The British boxer escaped without major injury but has since been mourning the loss of two men described as central figures in his personal life.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, Hearn dismissed suggestions that Joshua should be providing updates on his future in the ring.
"Since the accident, I’ve had people phoning me saying: ‘What’s the update?’ The reality is, this is not the time for updates, this is not the time for careers," Hearn said.
He added that the focus was on allowing Joshua the space to recover in all aspects, saying that: "This is a time for faith and prayer and healing for Anthony. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, you’ve got to give him time. We’re not interested in the future."
"We’re interested in Anthony and his wellbeing, and obviously the wellbeing, as much as possible, of the friends and family that are affected by this tragic incident," he added.
Joshua, 36, paid tribute to Ghami and Ayodele in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, reflecting on their friendship and the impact they had on his life. The post marked his first public comments since the crash.
Hearn also spoke about the personalities of the two men, pushing back against the idea that they were simply members of Joshua’s professional entourage.
"Sina would walk into a room and just light it up. He was the absolute energy lifter. And Latz the same — a really deep individual, a man of extreme faith and positivity. We’ll miss them dearly," he said.
"People talk about members of AJ’s team, but they were much more than that. They were some of his best mates. These are people who had incredible families and big networks of friends," he said.
Joshua has not fought since his defeat by Daniel Dubois in September, a result that had already raised questions about his next steps in the sport.
No timeframe has been set for Joshua’s return to training or competition, with those close to him emphasising that boxing remains a secondary concern as he comes to terms with the loss.
READ ALSO: US Withdraws from 66 Global Bodies, Including UN Climate Framework