Anthony Joshua’s Return to The Ring Uncertain – Boxing Promoter, Eddie Hearn

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring remains uncertain as the former champion continues to process a personal tragedy.

The 36-year-old heavyweight was involved in a fatal vehicle accident on December 29, which resulted in the deaths of two of his close companions, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

While Joshua escaped with only minor physical injuries, the emotional impact has cast doubt on his professional career.

Although the two-time world champion shared footage of himself back in the gym this past January—labeling the sessions as “mental strength therapy”—Hearn suggests that a competitive comeback is far from guaranteed.

Speaking with First Round TV, Hearn noted that while he expects Joshua to eventually return out of a love for the sport and a desire to honor his friends, there are no firm assurances. He emphasized that the public may not fully grasp the physical and psychological toll the incident took on the fighter.

Currently, Joshua is not prepared for the rigors of a full training camp and likely won’t be for some time.

Since the accident at the close of 2025, he has largely avoided the public eye, though he was recently spotted attending a PFL event in Dubai. This hiatus marks a sharp turn from his momentum in late 2024, specifically following his sixth-round victory over Jake Paul on December 19.

The tragedy has also derailed high-profile plans for the heavyweight division. Before the accident, Joshua’s team was preparing for a March bout, intended to pave the way for a massive showdown against Tyson Fury.

While Fury has since come out of retirement to schedule a fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov for April 11, the long-awaited Joshua-Fury clash is now on indefinite hold.

Hearn indicated that they will reassess Joshua’s status over the coming months as he slowly increases the intensity of his workouts.