Eddie Hearn has shared his thoughts on Anthony Joshua’s future in boxing, saying he anticipates the former heavyweight champion will step back into the ring, though his long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury may never happen. Joshua hasn’t fought since his knockout win over Jake Paul in September.
A Tragic Setback
After the victory over Paul, fans were eagerly anticipating a blockbuster fight against Fury, with a potential September date and a warm-up bout against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. But Joshua’s plans were derailed when he was involved in a car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Joshua sustained only minor injuries but has expressed a desire to honor his friends before returning to boxing.
Hearn on Joshua’s Comeback
Speaking to First Round TV, Hearn acknowledged there’s no certainty about when—or even if—Joshua will fight again, but he believes the 36-year-old will eventually return. “I don’t think there is any guarantees he fights again. But at the same time, I expect him to because it is something that he loves,” Hearn said. He added that boxing could be a way for Joshua to carry his late friends’ memory with him in the ring.
Physical and Emotional Challenges
Hearn also emphasized that Joshua’s recovery hasn’t just been emotional. “From a boxing sense, physically it wasn’t easy what he went through either. People probably don’t realise the extent of that. He has been training, but he is not ready yet and won’t be for a while to return to full boxing training.” While fans remain hopeful for a return, the timeline for Joshua’s next fight—and whether it will ever be against Fury—remains uncertain.
