Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the gym for what he described as “mental strength therapy,” weeks after a car crash in Nigeria claimed the lives of two members of his inner team.
Joshua was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on December 29, 2025. Two of his close associates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, died in the accident, while the boxer sustained minor injuries.
Ayodele was Joshua’s personal trainer, while Ghami served as his strength and conditioning coach. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite earlier indications from his promoter that he could be sidelined for some time, Joshua on Thursday shared a video on Instagram showing him hitting pads with a trainer in the gym. He captioned the clip, “Mental Strength Therapy.”
The footage has renewed public discussion about Joshua’s future in boxing following the tragic incident. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, said the 36-year-old would be given all the time he needs to grieve and recover before making any decisions.
“I think AJ, as we have seen in the past, is always a brave-face guy, a very positive guy,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “This is very different, and I know he will take his time. He will need time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future.”
Hearn added that while he believes Joshua may want to return to the ring, the decision would be made solely by the boxer when the time is right.
The crash occurred while Joshua was on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, 2025.
Before the accident, there had been renewed speculation about a potential bout between Joshua and fellow former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who recently came out of retirement. Hearn, however, dismissed any immediate discussions about the fight.
“That is not a conversation that anyone is comfortable having right now,” he said. “When the time is right, he will make his decision, and you will hear it from him.”
