Anthony Joshua has made a return to the boxing gym almost three weeks after being involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria. The former two-time heavyweight champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a parked truck on a major expressway near Lagos, resulting in the tragic deaths of two close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Their funerals took place in London on January 4.
Joshua, who was in Nigeria for a vacation and family visit, had recently defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul before the accident. Following hospital treatment, he was discharged on New Year’s Eve. Speculations arose regarding his future in boxing.
Recently, Joshua shared images on Snapchat showing him back in the gym, engaging in workouts and pad work as a form of “mental strength therapy.” He was also seen doing lower leg exercises and cycling on a stationary bike. Additionally, footage displayed him in a pool training session.
Despite reports from Joshua’s uncle claiming his retirement post-accident, Mirror Fighting reports that Joshua has not made a final decision on his boxing future. The driver involved in the crash was charged, and it was revealed that Joshua narrowly escaped a fatal outcome by switching seats before the accident.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, emphasized that no discussions regarding Joshua’s return to boxing have taken place and highlighted the importance of allowing Joshua time to heal and decide his future. Hearn expressed confidence in Joshua’s eventual return to the sport but emphasized that the decision lies solely with Joshua himself, as he navigates the physical and emotional recovery process.