Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua’s return to health club three weeks after crash reveals true colors

Promoter Eddie Hearn says two-time world heavyweight champ’s ‘loss is heavy’ but he is ‘truly grateful’ for ‘all the support and love’

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Anthony Joshua has shown inspirational ‘resilience and strength’ by returning to the gym just three weeks after surviving a horror car crash that killed his two friends, his promoter pal said.

The former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion’s mates Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami – both members of his support team – died when their Lexus SUV hit a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos, Nigeria.

AJ, 36, escaped with minor injuries after swapping seats.

Long-time promoter Eddie Hearn posted a photo on X showing him working out on an exercise bike next to the fighter who is still trying to come to terms with the December 29 tragedy.

Eddie, 46, said AJ’s ‘loss is heavy’ and he will ‘take his time to get back on track’.

But he said the boxer was ‘truly grateful’ for the support and love shown for his pals.

Posting the image taken at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai the Matchroom Boxing chief wrote: “Great to catch up with @anthonyjoshua today.

“His resilience and strength is inspiring.

“The loss is heavy, and he will take his time to get back on track.

“But said he is truly grateful for all the support and the love shown for Latz and Sina.“

The tragedy has cast doubt on whether AJ will return to the ring or hang up his gloves.

Eddie believes he will take a ‘considerable amount of time’ away.

He told Sky Sports: “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, before he makes a decision on his future.

“I do think he will want to return to boxing but that will be his decision when the time is right.

“It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon. The only conversation is, ‘Are you OK?’

“And sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.”

Fans were moved by Eddie’s post.

One wrote: “Two Legends. Hope AJ is doing ok.”

Another said: “Great support network, loved ones, and friends go a long way.”

One more said: “Thank you Eddie . Joshua needs all the love and support he can get. Resilience like a superhero.”

“Friends needed at a time like this, nice to see,” said another. “Thoughts with Anthony after recent events. I hope he can grieve and find joy in life again. I’m sure that’s what his friends would want.”

One supporter posted footage of Joshua sparring in the ring, adding: “We are eager for Anthony to recover as soon as possible. God has given him a great chance.”

AJ, who KO’d YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 29, in Miami 10 days before the crash, has not yet publicly revealed his plans.

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, 39, who has twice beaten AJ but helped him prepare for the Paul fight, said the fighter had a ‘desire to continue’ in honour of his lost friends.

Ukrainian Usyk told boxing website Ready To Fight: “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.”