Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua wants time to grieve earlier than he comes to a decision on his boxing future – however does assume the previous heavyweight champion will return to the ring.
Joshua’s shut pals and group members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, died in a automobile crash close to Lagos in Nigeria on December 29 after a automobile they have been travelling in as passengers collided with a stationary truck.
Joshua was additionally within the automobile and suffered minor accidents.
The incident got here 10 days after the 2012 Olympic gold medallist had defeated Jake Paul in Miami, in what was his first battle since defeat to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Joshua’s promoter Hearn instructed The Sportsman Boxing: “I’ve had a few conversations with him.
“It is solely now we have been speaking extra as a result of it may take you time to recover from one thing like that. I believe all you are able to do on this scenario is let individuals have their time.
“It baffles me that people are on me asking what’s next and if I have spoken to him about his career. No, those conversations are a long way away.
“My plan shall be to see him over the subsequent week, as a mate. I am not going to go in there and say, ‘I do know this horrible tragedy has occurred however let’s speak about what’s subsequent’. I might be an fool to do this. It will be fully mistaken.
“When things like this happen, it’s just not about boxing, not about business, it’s about you, the families of those two guys. Time to grieve and come to terms with a tragic incident.
“If he by no means fought once more, you would by no means ever blame him however figuring out AJ, after he is grieved, I consider he’ll need to get again to boxing.
“The only thing that will make the mind clearer is time and he’ll be given all the time. We have no belts, we don’t have to do anything. We could not fight for two years or ever again.”
‘We have got to offer AJ all of the assist he wants’
Hearn added that his “heart breaks” for Joshua after the passing of two pals who’ve performed an instrumental function in his success.
“Sina and Latz were two guys incredibly close to him on so many different levels, ” Hearn added.
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Mates pay tribute Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele following their deaths in Nigeria late final 12 months
“They came up with him and saw the rise but were also integral parts of the team. So loyal and passionate. Sina, going into the last fight, was like the leader of the camp
“I believe issues like this do not hit you, do not sink in for a very long time. It hasn’t sunk in for me and I wasn’t round these guys that always, so think about being AJ, think about being concerned in that incident. My coronary heart breaks for him.
“I know how strong he is but you can try and be strong, give that image and front-facing attitude, but deep down you never really know how someone’s feeling.
“That is why we have to be there for him. We have got to offer him all of the assist he wants and the time that he must decide on what he’ll do.”
