The former two-time world champion recently returned to training after being involved in a fatal car crash last month, which resulted in the deaths of his two good friends
Eddie Hearn is unsure on “when” or “even if” Anthony Joshua will return to training after the British star was involved in a tragic car crash last month.
The 36-year-old recently returned to the gym – just weeks after losing two of his close friends in a car crash. ‘AJ’ was involved in a fatal collision in Nigeria which claimed the lives of both Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Reports emerged later that the boxer suffered minor injuries, having cheated death by swapping seats ahead of the journey.
Joshua was spotted training over in Dubai, and was recently paid a visit by Hearn – who shared a post on Instagram. “Great to catch up today,” the Matchroom supremo wrote. The incident came just days after Joshua’s knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami.
After meeting up with the boxer for the first time since the crash, Hearn provided an update on his star client and good friend. “It was good to just see him. I have not had the opportunity to see him since the terrible crash,” he told iFL TV. “He is, of course, still mourning. We were in Dubai. We were at his house staying there.
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“That’s where he lived with “Latz” (Latif Ayodele) and Sina (Ghami). It’s not easy. He is keeping himself busy. Physically, he is getting himself over the injuries that he suffered. I think soon he will speak in terms of… I do not think there will be anything boxing related.”
Having escaped with slight injuries, Joshua is simply training “for his own mind,” according to Hearn. The Matchroom Boxing chief has been bombarded with questions over the Brit’s future, but he himself is still unsure what the future holds for the 36-year-old. “They are not injuries that will affect him long-term moving forward,” he continued. “But they are injuries that will take time. Boxing is a tough and rough sport. You can’t just go back in camp with injuries like that and I do not know when or even if he will go back into camp.
“At the moment, there is no conversation or no need to have a conversation about that. It’s just… ‘AJ’ will always train. And the training… and I think that’s a lesson to everybody, training can help so much and solve so much. And I think he relies on… do not forget that boxing changed his life forever and he will never leave the gym. And what you are seeing at the moment is not him training for his return.
“He is training for his own mind. And he is training for himself physically to recover and repair. I just cannot believe his strength and resilience.” He added: “It was really good to see him as a friend. And just see him, talk to him, be around him and we are forever there for him as so many people are. Nothing will fill the void of losing those two in his life.”
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Hearn’s comments come after Joshua recently shared snaps of him hitting the pads in what he described as “mental strength therapy.” The boxing legend was seen pushing himself with some lower leg exercises as well as riding a stationary bike. Despite uncertainty over his future, Joshua’s uncle sensationally claimed the heavyweight fighter had informed his family he will retire following the crash.
The Brit allegedly made the decision ‘known to his family in private’. “The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” Adedamola Joshua told The Punch. Mirror Fighting understands that the 36-year-old is still yet to make a decision on his fighting future.
Oleksandr Usyk – who famously shared the ring with Joshua on two separate occasions with the Brit – has become close friends with the fighter and has completely contradicted Adedamola’s remarks having shared a conversation with him. During a recent interview with Ready To Fight, he said: “I’ve already spoken with him.
“I heard a desire to continue in his voice — for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him. Once I spoke with the mother of my fallen comrade, and she told me: ‘Oleksandr, he would be very proud that you are continuing your work; he will watch you from heaven.’ And he, I think, does that. And not just him, but all my loved ones who passed away defending our country. They are my guardian angels who help me in the ring.”
On Tuesday, 46-year-old Adeniyi Kayode – who was the driver on the black Lexus SUV – appeared in Magistrates’ court in Ogun State. Kayode – who was seen wearing a blue hoodie – was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The case was adjourned until February 25 with Kayode released on bail.
