Anthony Joshua has made a return to the boxing gym almost three weeks after being involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria. The former two-time heavyweight champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that crashed into a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos. Although Joshua sustained minor injuries, the incident tragically claimed the lives of two of his close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Their funerals were held in London on January 4.
During his trip to Nigeria for a holiday and family visit, Joshua had recently defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul before the accident. After receiving hospital treatment for a few days and being discharged on New Year’s Eve, there were speculations about his future in boxing.
However, Joshua has shared images on Snapchat showing him back in the gym, engaging in workouts and pad work as a form of “mental strength therapy.” He was also seen doing lower leg exercises, using a stationary bike, and swimming in a pool. Additionally, he posted a picture of his time on a cardio machine with the caption “I am a fighter” and a photo of a memorable moment with Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
Reports emerged on January 6 that Joshua’s uncle claimed the boxer had privately informed his family about his decision to retire post the car crash. However, Mirror Fighting reports that Joshua has yet to make an official announcement regarding his future in boxing.
Joshua’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was charged over the crash, appeared in court and was granted bail. It was revealed that Joshua narrowly escaped a fatal outcome by switching seats in the vehicle just before the accident.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, emphasized that there were no ongoing discussions about Joshua’s boxing future. Hearn expressed the need for Joshua to have the time to recover physically and emotionally before deciding on his next steps. He stressed that Joshua’s voice would be the only one to determine his future in the sport.
