Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has remained guarded over Anthony Joshua’s future in the sport following a fatal road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of the British-Nigerian boxer’s close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Joshua sustained minor injuries after the Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck near Lagos on December 29.

Accident Follows Recent Ring Success

The tragic incident came shortly after Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami, where he knocked out the YouTuber-turned-boxer in the sixth round.

However, the emotional trauma from the accident and the loss of his friends has cast serious doubt over his boxing future, despite ongoing speculation about a lucrative potential showdown with Tyson Fury.

Hearn Pushes Back Against Media Pressure

Hearn, Joshua’s long-time promoter, has pushed back against growing discussions about the former heavyweight champion’s return to the ring.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Hearn addressed the intense media scrutiny surrounding Joshua’s situation.

“I think we live in a world today where everyone feels like they deserve to know how he’s feeling and what’s next,” Hearn said. “I’m getting calls every day from the media asking, ‘Can you give us an update on his career?’”

Recovery Takes Priority Over Boxing

Hearn stressed that Joshua is dealing with significant emotional trauma and that his physical, mental and psychological recovery must take precedence over any talk of fight schedules or future bouts.

“Anything you hear about his career, until you hear it from AJ, don’t believe it,” Hearn added.

He noted that discussions about Joshua’s boxing future are premature and should only take place when the boxer himself is ready to address them.

“I find it a little bit disrespectful to even… I know it’s my job to speak on his behalf sometimes, but this is not boxing. This is life, and this is, unfortunately, the very, very sad side of life,” Hearn said.

No Timeline for Career Decisions

Hearn reiterated that no conversations regarding Joshua’s career would take place until the timing was appropriate. “And that’s nowhere near happening right now,” he concluded.

Family Comments Fuel Retirement Talk

Hearn’s remarks follow closely after comments by Joshua’s uncle, who suggested that the former world champion has already retired from boxing.

In an interview with The Punch, he said, “The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally.” (BusinessDay)