Eddie Hearn is confident that Anthony Joshua will ultimately wish to step back into the ring, though the Matchroom promoter acknowledges the heavyweight needs substantial time before any such decision can be made.
The 36-year-old British boxer was involved in a devastating car accident in Nigeria on December 29, which claimed the lives of two close friends and left Joshua himself with injuries.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, before he makes a decision on his future.
“I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right.”
The crash occurred while Joshua was holidaying in the African nation following his impressive sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.
Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, described as loyal members of Joshua’s team, both lost their lives in the incident.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been enjoying time in his family’s homeland when tragedy struck.
Eddie Hearn is confident that Anthony Joshua will ultimately wish to step back into the ring, though the Matchroom promoter acknowledges the heavyweight needs substantial time before any such decision can be made
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PA/XThe accident has prompted widespread speculation about whether the former world champion will ever compete again, though Hearn insists such discussions remain far from his current thinking.
His sole focus is providing the heavyweight with space to process the loss of two people close to him.
Hearn described Joshua as someone who typically maintains a positive outlook and puts on a brave face, particularly when dealing with boxing-related matters.
Latif Ayodele (right) and Sina Ghami (centre-left) had all travelled to Nigeria with Anthony Joshua | INSTAGRAM/HEALTHY_MINDSET
However, the promoter stressed that this situation is fundamentally different from anything the fighter has faced before.
“This is very different to that and I know he will take his time,” Hearn said.
The Matchroom boss also made clear that discussions about Joshua’s career are not something he intends to raise in the near future.
“It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon,” he explained.
“The only conversation is ‘are you OK?’ and sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.”
Prior to the accident, attention had swiftly turned to a potential showdown with long-standing rival Tyson Fury following Joshua’s dominant performance against Paul.
Anthony Joshua beat Jake Paul before his tragic car crash
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GETTYYet Hearn anticipates his fighter will remain away from competition for a “considerable amount of time” and stressed that nobody feels comfortable broaching the subject of what comes next.
“When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision and you will hear it from him,” Hearn added.
“That is the only voice you should listen to in that respect.
“And we’ll give him his time to make that decision and heal.”
