Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has signalled a potential return to the ring, just weeks after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
A Tragic Incident and a Heavy Loss
The boxing star was a passenger in a Lexus SUV involved in a collision with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos in late December 2025. Joshua, 36, escaped with minor injuries, but the crash proved fatal for his friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Their funerals were held in London on January 4, 2026.
Reports following the incident suggested Joshua had cheated death by swapping seats shortly before the journey began. The crash occurred just days after his knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, casting immediate doubt over his fighting future.
Conflicting Reports on Retirement Plans
In the wake of the tragedy, Joshua's uncle, Adedamola Joshua, publicly claimed the fighter had privately informed his family of his decision to retire from boxing. This statement, however, has been contradicted by a figure much closer to Joshua's recent camp.
Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian champion who defeated Joshua twice in 2021 and 2022, has revealed a private conversation that suggests a different path. The pair have grown closer recently, with Joshua enlisting Usyk's help to prepare for the Paul fight.
"I've already spoken with him," Usyk stated in an interview with Ready To Fight. "I heard a desire to continue in his voice — for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him."
Back in the Gym and Finding Strength
Signs of a comeback have emerged physically. Nearly three weeks after the crash, Joshua was pictured back in a gym in Dubai, lacing up his gloves and working out. He shared snaps of pad work, lower leg exercises, and time on a stationary bike, describing the sessions as "mental strength therapy."
Further social media posts included a photo of his time on a cardio machine captioned "I am a fighter," and an image from his 2017 bout with Wladimir Klitschko. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed the gym visit, posting on Instagram about their meeting.
"Great to catch up with @anthonyjoshua today," Hearn wrote. "His resilience and strength is inspiring. The loss is heavy, and he will take his time to get back on track. But said he is truly grateful for all the support and the love shown for Latz and Sina."
While the emotional toll of the accident remains profound, the combination of Usyk's revelation and Joshua's return to training strongly hints that the British heavyweight's story in the ring is not yet over.
