Hearn ‘expects’ Joshua to fight but no ‘guarantees’

Hearn ‘expects’ Joshua to fight again – but no guarantees

Promoter Eddie Hearn says he “expects” Anthony Joshua to return to the ring despite the emotional and physical toll of a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

Key Points

• Accident Date: 29 December 2025

• Joshua’s injuries: Minor, but physically impactful

• Victims: Long-time friends Ghami & Ayodele

• Current status: Not boxing-ready; training privately

• Last fight: 19 Dec 2025 – KO win over Jake Paul

• Planned comeback fight: March 2026 (now off)

• Fury bout: Now uncertain

Eddie Hearn’s Comments

“I don’t think there are any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time I expect him to. It’s something he loves. It’s how he can carry those guys with him.”

“People probably don’t realise the extent of what he went through physically either. He’s been training, but not boxing training – not yet.”

Mental Recovery

Joshua shared a training video in January captioned “mental strength therapy”, suggesting he’s focusing on mental recovery before returning to the ring.

He made a rare appearance at the PFL event in Dubai, staying largely out of the public eye otherwise.

Timeline Recap

• 19 Dec 2025: Defeats Jake Paul via 6th-round KO

• 29 Dec 2025: Involved in car accident in Nigeria

• Jan 2026: Begins non-contact training

• Mar 2026: Planned comeback shelved

• Apr 2026: Tyson Fury to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov

Future Outlook

The highly-anticipated Joshua vs Fury showdown now hangs in the balance.

“I don’t know if it will ever happen right now,” Hearn admitted.

Joshua, now 36, has a professional record of 29 wins, 4 defeats, and remains one of boxing’s biggest draws. But his return depends on his recovery — both physical and emotional.