Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has called for the boxer to be given “time and privacy” following a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his friends. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the accident on 29 December, while his team members Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele died.
In a statement via Matchroom, Hearn said: “Since the incident, the accident, I’ve had people phone: ‘What’s the update?’ The reality is, this is not a time for updates, this is not a time for careers; this is a time for faith and prayer and healing for Anthony. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, you’ve got to give him time.”
Hearn emphasised that Joshua's boxing future is not a priority. “We’re not interested in the future right now, we’re interested in Anthony and his wellbeing,” he added. The promoter also requested no further questions about Joshua’s career, stating: “There will be no conversations from us about his career, nothing about any move or what’s next.”
Joshua had fought just 10 days before the crash, stopping Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami. Plans for a February return and a potential bout with Tyson Fury are now uncertain. Hearn concluded: “Give him his time to heal, and as I said: just absolute prayers with Sina and Latz’s friends and family on the tragic loss of two brilliant men.”
