Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the gym eighteen days after a devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
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Joshua was involved in the accident near Lagos on December 29, 2025. While the British boxer sustained only minor injuries, the crash tragically killed his longtime associates Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was part of his training team.
The 36-year-old has now taken his first steps back into the gym, sharing videos on social media that showed him working on pads, exercising, and riding a stationary bike.
One of the clips was accompanied by the slogan “mental strength therapy,” underlining the emotional aspect of his recovery.
The boxing community has continued to pay tribute to Ghami and Ayodele, with Joshua also posting heartfelt messages in their memory. Born in Watford to Nigerian parents, Joshua had been on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami just 10 days before the crash.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has urged caution regarding any immediate return to competitive boxing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn stressed that Joshua needs time to recover fully on multiple levels.
“He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future,”
Hearn said. “I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right. The only conversation right now is whether he is OK.”
Hearn added that the tragedy Joshua experienced was “heartbreaking for all involved” and emphasized that no pressure would be placed on the boxer to make quick decisions about his career.
For now, Joshua’s focus remains on healing and regaining strength, with his gradual return to the gym marking an important step in his recovery process.
