Anthony Joshua’s promoter says the boxer will return to the ring ‘when the time is right’ following a fatal car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his team.
LONDON: Anthony Joshua’s promoter believes the former world heavyweight champion will eventually box again following a fatal car crash in Nigeria.
The British fighter was a passenger in an SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a highway linking Lagos and Ibadan on December 29.
Joshua’s backroom team members Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in the crash, while the boxer sustained minor injuries.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the 36-year-old would be given all the time he needed to cope with the loss of two key members of his staff.
“I think AJ, as we have seen in the past on boxing-related stuff, is always a brave-face guy, a very positive guy,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
“This is very different to that and I know he will take his time.”
He said Joshua would need time physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually before deciding on his future.
“I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right.”
The crash happened while Joshua was on holiday in Nigeria following his win against Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
Both Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, and Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, died at the scene.
Before the accident, there was fresh talk of a long-awaited ‘Battle of Britain’ between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Hearn said that was not a conversation anyone was comfortable having currently.
“When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision and you will hear it from him.”
Earlier this month, Joshua paid a moving tribute to “great men” Ayodele and Ghami on Instagram.
Nigerian police charged the driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi M
