Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed uncertainty over Anthony Joshua's future in the ring, admitting the British heavyweight could retire from boxing after the tragic car crash which took the lives of two of his closest friends.
The 36-year-old former two-time world champion was involved in a fatal accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in December 2025.
Also read: Could Anthony Joshua box again after two close colleagues died in tragic road accident?
Although Joshua has returned to the gym and shared photos of himself hitting the pads in mid-January, and described the sessions as “mental strength therapy” on Snapchat, his boxing future remains uncertain.
Hearn, who has promoted Anthony Joshua since turning professional in 2013, said the emotional and physical impact of the accident means there is no clarity on when or if Joshua will resume his boxing career.
Also read: Anthony Joshua calms retirement fears, returns to training weeks after fatal car crash
Speaking on the IFL Show, Hearn admitted that the recovery process will take time despite Joshua returning to training.
“I haven't had the opportunity to see him since the terrible accident,” Hearn told IFL, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“It is not easy. He is keeping himself busy. Physically, he is recovering himself from the injuries that he sustained. These are not injuries that will affect him long term going forward, but these are injuries that will take time.
“Boxing is a tough, tough sport. You can't go back to camp with injuries like this, and I don't know when or even if he'll go back to camp.”
“Right now, there is no conversation about this, or no need to have a conversation.”
Joshua has been linked with a long-awaited fight against Tyson Fury in early 2026, but any potential talks are now believed to be on hold.
Hearn also rejected suggestions that Joshua's presence in the gym signaled an imminent return to competitive boxing.
“AJ will always train,” he said. “Don't forget that boxing changed his life forever, and he'll never leave the gym
“What you see right now is he's not training for his comeback. He's training for his mind. He's training himself to recover and repair. I can't believe his strength and resiliency.”
