Anthony Joshua’s Career in Doubt Following Deadly Accident in Nigeria — Eddie Hearn

After two of his close friends died in a vehicle accident in Nigeria, Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said Joshua might give up boxing.

As he continues his physical and psychological recuperation from the December accident in Ogun State, Hearn stated that there are no assurances the former heavyweight champion will make a comeback to the ring.

After stopping Jake Paul with a single blow in his last fight, Joshua reportedly traveled to Nigeria to see family. But catastrophe came on December 29, 2025, when the car he was riding in met a halted truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

One of Joshua’s trainers, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, perished in the collision. After surviving, Joshua was treated in a hospital and then sent back to the UK. He later went to both men’s funerals.

Hearn acknowledged that there is still uncertainty around Joshua’s future in the sport in an interview with First Round TV.

Although there are no promises that he would fight again, I do expect him to do so because he enjoys it. But he can also bring those individuals along, and he wants to do it,” Hearn stated.

He went on to say that the crash’s effects extended beyond psychological distress.

Physically, it wasn’t easy for him either, from a boxing perspective. Most likely, people are unaware of the depth of his experiences. Although he has been training, the boxing promoter pointed out that he is not yet ready and won’t be for some time.

Hearn revealed that Joshua was getting ready for a fight in March and that a fight against fellow Brit Tyson Fury was being considered. Those plans are currently on hold.

“We were getting ready for him to face Tyson Fury in March.” That won’t happen now, of course. I doubt it will ever occur. He will increase his workout intensity over the next few months to assess his progress, Hearn stated.

After more than a year away from the ring, Fury is expected to make his comeback in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Joshua, meanwhile, has tattooed the names of his departed buddies on his body as an homage. Photographs of the artwork were posted on Instagram by London-based company Fulham Tattoo, which said the two-time world champion stopped by unexpectedly for his first session.

“A huge thank you to Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion of the world, for coming in the door a few weeks ago for his first visit with us at Fulham Tattoo London … what a walk in,” the post said.

Regarding his future in boxing, Joshua has not yet made any public remarks.