Anthony Joshua’s Return to Boxing After Tragedy
In the wake of a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his teammates, heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua appears to be on track for a quicker return to the ring than many anticipated. The incident, which occurred in Nigeria shortly after Joshua celebrated a knockout victory over Jake Paul, left him injured but not incapacitated.
Future Plans and Recovery
Following the initial uncertainty surrounding his future, fans and analysts have speculated whether Joshua would be able to resume his boxing career. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has now indicated that a return could be possible as soon as July of this year.
“He’s going to come back – I believe – late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp,” Hearn noted, emphasizing the importance of Joshua’s recovery.
Currently, the timeline for Joshua’s training resumption remains uncertain, but Hearn is hopeful about an early summer fight, pending Joshua’s readiness to begin training again in the next few weeks.
Potential Opponents and Future Matchups
When discussing potential opponents, Hearn acknowledged that each fight poses unique challenges, particularly given Joshua’s recent experiences. He expressed an open mind regarding future matchups, including a potential bout with longtime rival Tyson Fury, though such a showdown might be more feasible by the year’s end or early next year.
At 36, Joshua was previously rumored to be negotiating a fight with kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven, but recent discussions have leaned towards a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, who has successfully defeated Joshua twice in the past.
Tyson Fury’s Upcoming Fight
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury is set to make his return to the ring on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov, potentially positioning him for a world title if he wins. Joshua’s long-awaited clash with Fury, which fans were eager to see this year, has been complicated by Joshua’s accident, but the boxing community remains optimistic about both fighters’ futures in the heavyweight division.
With streaming options for these high-profile bouts expanding, fans are watching closely as both heavyweight champions work towards their anticipated returns to action.
