Anthony Joshua has eased his way back into training, describing his return to the gym as a form of mental healing, weeks after a fatal road accident in Nigeria claimed the lives of two members of his inner circle.
The former heavyweight champion was travelling in a Lexus SUV along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway on December 29 when the vehicle crashed into a stationary truck. His backroom staff, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, were killed in the incident, while Joshua escaped with minor injuries.
Despite earlier warnings from his promoter that he might step away from boxing for an extended period, the Briton appeared in a short video shared on Instagram on Thursday, working on the pads with a trainer. He accompanied the clip with the words, “Mental Strength Therapy.”
The tragedy has fuelled uncertainty over whether Joshua will ever return to the ring, but his promoter, Eddie Hearn, stressed that the 36-year-old should not be rushed. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn acknowledged Joshua’s typically resilient demeanour but noted that this situation is deeply personal and requires time.
He added that Joshua must recover physically, emotionally, and mentally before making any decision about his future in the sport.
The crash occurred while Joshua was on holiday in Nigeria after defeating Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, both died at the scene.
Prior to the accident, there had been renewed discussion about a potential blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury, who recently ended his retirement. However, Hearn said such talks are currently off the table, adding that any decision about Joshua’s return will come from the boxer himself when he is ready.
