NOTTINGHAM, England — Anthony Joshua is expected to return to camp in the coming weeks and could fight this summer, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed.
Joshua’s boxing future has been uncertain following his involvement in a car crash in Nigeria in December that killed two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua escaped without major physical injuries, but the severity of the incident and the loss of his friends meant it was unclear whether he would return to boxing.
However, Hearn said Joshua is starting to work toward a return later this year.
“Originally, the plan for AJ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August. That’s not happening,” Hearn told media in Nottingham on Thursday.
“He’s not fighting Tyson Fury next. He’s going to come back, I believe, late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp.
“I’m planning,” Hearn said, “but he’s just resting and preparing.
“So, for me, I’m looking at options to get him back in the ring in July time, but we’ll only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp, which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks or a month.
“I think every fight is dangerous, coming off what he’s come off,” he said. “We’re open to the Fury fight but probably more likely [near the] end of the year, maybe early 2027.”
Last month, Joshua spoke for the first time since the crash, thanking people for their well-wishes and vowing to fulfil the dreams of his “brothers.”
“What my goal is, is to continue to help them achieve their goals. Even though they may not be here in the physical, when I pray, I know spiritually they’re going to aid me through,” Joshua said.
“It’s not just physical strength that will get me through; it’s going to take a lot.
“A lot of strength [is] from a higher power,” he said, “so I’m definitely going to be saying my prayers, and I’m going to help them fulfill their dreams for their families.”
