British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua has returned to the gym just days after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people close to him.
The former world champion described his return to training as “mental strength therapy”, signalling a slow but deliberate step toward emotional recovery rather than a competitive comeback.
The 36-year-old boxer was involved in a fatal road accident near Lagos on December 29, when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck.
While Joshua escaped with minor injuries, the crash tragically claimed the lives of:
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Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach
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Latif “Latz” Ayodele, his long-time trainer
Both men were key figures in Joshua’s career and personal life.
BACK IN THE GYM
After receiving treatment in the hospital, Anthony Joshua returned to the United Kingdom to complete his recovery.
Just 19 days after the accident, he shared a short video on Snapchat showing himself:
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Hitting pads
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Working through light gym routines
The video was captioned “mental strength therapy”, suggesting boxing is serving as a coping mechanism as he processes the trauma.
RETIREMENT RUMOURS ADDRESSED
Following the incident, reports surfaced that Joshua was considering retirement from boxing. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has downplayed any immediate decisions.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn said:
“He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually before he decides on his future. It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon.”
FOCUS ON WELLBEING
According to Hearn, the priority remains Joshua’s overall well-being, not his next fight.
“The only conversation is ‘are you OK?’ Sometimes people put on a façade of being fine, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.”
He added that when the time comes, Joshua will personally communicate any decision about his career.
BRIEF BACKSTORY
Anthony Joshua, a former unified heavyweight champion, has built his career around discipline, resilience, and structure. The loss of two trusted team members represents one of the most personal challenges he has faced outside the ring, making this moment less about titles and more about healing.
THE BIG PICTURE
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Return to training is therapeutic, not competitive
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No immediate decision on retirement
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Career future remains open and personal
For now, Anthony Joshua’s journey back to the gym is about balance, strength, and recovery—not belts or bouts.
