Anthony Joshua boxing future replace emerges as Eddie Hearn speaks out
Anthony Joshua’s future in boxing has been given an update after Eddie Hearn spoke about following the boxer’s fatal car crash in Nigeria
Eddie Hearn has given an update on Anthony Joshua’s future (Image: Sky Sports)
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has said that Anthony Joshua will be given time to make a decision about his future in the sport, following the tragic car crash that saw him lose two of his close friends.
Joshua’s team members Sini Ghami and Latif Adoyele – also known as ‘Latz’ – died in the crash in Nigeria last month. The heavyweight boxer was also in the car, but suffered just minor injuries. After receiving treatment in the hospital in Nigeria, Joshua returned to the UK earlier this month.
There have been some claims that he could retire from boxing, but that is yet to be confirmed. Speaking to Sky Sports News about Joshua’s future, Hearn said: “That’s not a conversation that I think anyone’s comfortable in having in terms of asking what could be next or what he’s thinking.
“That’s something that has to come next. You need someone to have their time and to just be left alone, really, to get over, like I said, not just a terrible incident, but just one that you can never prepare for in life. You never, ever want to see anybody you know in any kind of this situation.
“It’s heartbreaking. And when the time is right, I believe he will make his decision. You’ll hear it from him. The future of Anthony Joshua will be told by Anthony Joshua. And that’s the only voice you should listen to in that respect.
“And we’ll give him his time to make that decision and to heal specifically in many different ways. What happened to him is not normal and it’s heartbreaking for everybody involved, particularly the families of Sina and Latz, who were so incredibly loved.”
He added: “I think AJ, as we’ve seen in the past on boxing-related stuff, he’s always a kind of brave-faced guy
“This, of course, is very different to that. But I know that he’ll take his time and he’ll need his time physically and mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future.
“I do think he’s going to want to return to boxing, but that’ll be his decision when the time’s right. It’s certainly not a conversation that I’ll be having with him anytime soon.
“The only conversation now is [asking], are you okay? Our thoughts are, of course, not just with the families of Sina and Latz, but with AJ as well. We pray for him every day.”
The crash came not long after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in a highly anticipated bout which took place on December 19 in Miami.
