Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to training just weeks after a car crash in Nigeria killed two of his close team members.
The British boxer was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on December 29 on the busy Lagos–Ibadan highway. Joshua sustained minor injuries, while his backroom team members, Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, died at the scene.
Despite the tragedy, Joshua shared footage on Instagram on Thursday of himself hitting pads with a trainer, captioning the post “Mental Strength Therapy,” signaling his gradual return to physical activity.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the 36-year-old would be given all the time he needs to cope with the loss. “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future,” Hearn told Sky Sports, adding that Joshua likely wants to return to boxing but will decide when ready.
The crash occurred while Joshua was on holiday in Nigeria following his December 19 victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami. Speculation about a potential bout with former world champion Tyson Fury had emerged before the accident, but Hearn said it is “not a conversation anyone is comfortable having” at this time.
Joshua’s return to the gym, though brief, shows the former two-time unified heavyweight champion is beginning to process the tragedy and regain his focus.
