Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has stepped back into the gym for the first time since being involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The Devastating Incident in Lagos
The serious collision occurred near Lagos on 29 December 2025. Joshua, who was on holiday in Nigeria after his victory over Jake Paul in Miami just ten days prior, sustained minor injuries but was seen in clear distress exiting the vehicle.
Tragically, the crash proved fatal for two of the boxer's companions. Sina Ghami, who served as Joshua's strength and conditioning coach, and trainer Latif 'Latz' Ayodele both lost their lives in the incident. The boxing community has since united in paying tribute to the two men.
Focus on Recovery and "Mental Strength Therapy"
Now, the 36-year-old athlete from Watford has begun his physical and emotional recovery process. Joshua shared a video on Snapchat showing him back in training, working on pads, completing exercises, and using a stationary bike.
One poignant clip from his session was overlaid with the slogan "mental strength therapy", indicating his focus on healing his mind as well as his body. This return comes despite his promoter, Eddie Hearn, urging caution regarding any swift resumption of his professional boxing career.
Hearn's Cautious Stance on Joshua's Future
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Hearn emphasised that Joshua needs ample time to heal on multiple levels before any decisions about his future in the ring are made. "He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future," Hearn stated.
He continued, "I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right. It is certainly not a conversation I'll be having with him any time soon. The only conversation is 'are you OK?'"
Hearn acknowledged the profound impact of the event, adding, "What happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved." He concluded that when Joshua is ready, the decision will come directly from the boxer himself, and his team will support him with all the time he needs.
