Promoter Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua is the “sole voice” in making decisions about his future in the sport.
Joshua’s close friends and team members Sheena Gami and Latif “Rats” Adyer were killed in a fatal road accident in Nigeria last month. Joshua, who was also a passenger in the car, suffered minor injuries and required hospital treatment before returning to the UK.
Asked if he expected Joshua to take a significant period of time away from boxing, Hearn told Sky Sports News: “Yeah, I think so.”
“I don’t think this is a conversation that anyone is comfortable having in terms of asking what’s going to happen next and what they’re thinking.
“It’s what has to come next. Like I said, in order to get through not just a horrible event, but something that life can never prepare you for, you need someone to take time and just be with you. You never want to run into people you know in any type of situation.
“It’s heartbreaking and I believe that when the time is right he will make a decision. We will hear that from him.
“The future of Anthony Joshua will be told by Anthony Joshua, and in that regard, he is the only voice you should listen to.
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Heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley says Anthony Joshua needs time to recover and decide whether to box again after his tragic car accident in Nigeria.
“And we give him time to make that decision and specifically heal in different ways.
“What happened to him is not normal and is heartbreaking for everyone involved, especially Sheena and the Lutz family, who were incredibly loved.”
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist posted a tribute to Adyer and Ghami on social media earlier this month.
AJ will ‘take his time’ before making a decision
“I think AJ is a guy who always puts on a brave face, as we’ve seen in boxing-related topics,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“Obviously, this is very different from that, but we know he needs time, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, before he makes a decision about his future.
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Friends have paid tribute to Sheena Gami and Latif Ayodele, the two passengers who tragically died in a car crash involving Anthony Joshua in Nigeria.
I think he wants to go back to boxing and that will be his decision when the time is right. Granted, that’s not a conversation I’d have with him anytime soon.
“The only conversation we have right now is (asking), is it okay?”
“Of course, our thoughts are not only with Sheena and the Lutz family, but with AJ as well. We pray for him every day.”
