Tragic Accident and Resilience
In a poignant display of resilience, Eddie Hearn has expressed admiration for Anthony Joshua, describing the heavyweight boxer as “inspiring” in the wake of a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. The accident, which occurred near Lagos on December 29, left Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion, with only minor injuries, but he was visibly distressed as he exited the damaged vehicle.
Honoring Friends
The boxing community has come together to honor Joshua’s late friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, who played significant roles in his boxing career, with Ghami serving as his strength and conditioning coach and Ayodele as a trainer. In response to this tragedy, Joshua shared heartfelt tributes on social media, reflecting on the deep loss.
Focus on Training and Healing
Recently, Joshua returned to the gym, determined to focus on his training and healing process. He shared videos on Snapchat showcasing his workout routine, which included hitting pads and cycling on a stationary bike. Hearn, who visited the gym to support Joshua, posted an update on Instagram highlighting their reconnection. He wrote, “Great to catch-up with Anthony Joshua today. His resilience and strength is inspiring,” while acknowledging the heavy burden of loss that the fighter is grappling with.
Importance of Recovery
Hearn also conveyed the importance of allowing Joshua the necessary time to recover fully before contemplating a return to the boxing ring, stating in an interview with Sky Sports, “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future.” He emphasized the focus should be on Joshua’s well-being rather than discussing his next moves in boxing right now.
Context of the Incident
Joshua’s trip to Nigeria had been a vacation following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami just ten days prior to the devastating incident. Hearn underscored the need for sensitivity in this challenging moment for Joshua, asserting that when the boxer is ready to speak about his future and potential return to the sport, it will be on his terms.
Community Support
The solidarity shown from the boxing world underscores the profound impact of this loss, as fans and peers alike rally around Joshua during this difficult time.
