British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has said that former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua alone will determine when he is ready to return to the boxing ring.
Joshua was involved in a car accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29, which claimed the lives of two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and left the British boxer injured.
Born in Watford to Nigerian parents, Joshua was in Nigeria on holiday following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Hearn said Joshua must be fully recovered mentally, physically and emotionally before making any decision about his boxing future.
“He will need time physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually before deciding on his future. I believe he will want to return to boxing, but that decision will be his when the time is right,” Hearn said.
He added that Joshua’s wellbeing should remain the priority for now rather than discussions about his career.
“The only question at the moment is, ‘Are you OK?’ What happened to him is tragic and heartbreaking for everyone involved. When the time is right, he will make his decision, and you will hear it directly from him. That is the only voice people should listen to on this matter,” Hearn added.
