Boxing Mar 08, 2026

Anthony Joshua targeting July return but won't fight Tyson Fury next following fatal car crash, says Eddie Hearn

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Anthony Joshua targeting July return but won't fight Tyson Fury next following fatal car crash, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua is targeting a return to the ring in July after surviving a fatal car crash in December but will not yet be fighting Tyson Fury next, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua was involved in a road traffic accident while visiting family in Nigeria over Christmas, which resulted in two of his friends and members of his training team, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, being killed.

Joshua, who was initially hospitalised, had just beaten Jake Paul in a sixth-round knockout victory in Miami.

Fury is currently gearing up to face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11 in what will mark his first fight since losing in a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

Hearn told The Sportsman: "[He was] due to fight in March, then fight Tyson Fury. That's not happening anymore. He won't be fighting Tyson Fury next.

"We've really not had any solid plans to announce what's next.

"The focus for Anthony Joshua is to get back into training camp. He's not ready to go back into training camp, physically but it's getting closer.

"I think there's nothing more that he wants at the moment than to return to training camp because it's where he loves to be.

"Really, I think July is the time to return. We are looking at multiple options around the world for that potential return.

"I haven't spoken that deeply with Anthony yet until he gets back into camp, and hopefully that will be in the next couple of weeks."

Although the two will not fight just yet, Fury said his own return to boxing was inspired by Joshua's tragic accident in late December.

At the start of 2025, Fury had announced that he would retire from boxing. But he since decided to come back and will fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 in London.

Speaking after his return was announced, he said: "Tomorrow might not ever come.

"The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua. I was on holiday in Thailand with my family for Christmas, just to get away from the rain.

"I hear all that bad news that's gone on and I thought, you know what, life is very short, very precious and very fragile.

"Anything could happen at any given moment and you should never put things off until tomorrow, or the next year or next week, because tomorrow is not promised to nobody.

"Tomorrow is a mystery, we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I'm going to come back to boxing - because it's something that I love, I'm passionate about and that I've always been in love with.

"There is no tomorrow to put it off to, so that's why I'm back today for this big fight."

In January, during Joshua's only public appearance since the accident, the British boxer alluded to a desire to pursue his boxing goals and cement his legacy to help honour the memory of Ghima and Adoyele.

"My goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals," Joshua said.

"It's not just physical strength that will get me through. It's going to take a lot of strength from a higher power. So I'm definitely going to say my prayers and help them fulfil their dreams for their families - not only me, there's a whole team of us.

"I'm going to do what's right by them, I'm going to do what's right by their family.

"In my corner of the world I know what I'm going to be doing. What can I say? One day my time will come… But the mission must go on. I understand my duty.

"It isn't about legacy, it's just doing what's right and I know I'm going to do what's right for them. I know what I've got to do."

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor has announced she plans to retire following a summer fight in Dublin.Taylor, 39, retained her undisputed world super lightweight title af...

Katie Taylor: Chantelle Cameron keen to be Irish fighter's opponent in retirement bout, say promoters MVP

Katie Taylor: Chantelle Cameron keen to be Irish fighter's opponent in retirement bout, say promoters MVP

Chantelle Cameron's promoters say they "would love" for the Brit to be Katie Taylor's opponent in the legendary Irish fighter's final professional con...

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is favourite and why is fight happening in 2026 in Las Vegas?

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is favourite and why is fight happening in 2026 in Las Vegas?

On Monday, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao stunned the boxing world by announcing a professional rematch - 11 years after their first bout.Mayweat...

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley has called for a heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury before the end of the year, as long as he makes a successful defence of the WBO wo...

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper feud ignites: 'As an athlete, as a fighter, as a person, I don’t rate you!'

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper feud ignites: 'As an athlete, as a fighter, as a person, I don’t rate you!'

“She hasn’t done anything.”Caroline Dubois left Terri Harper lost for words.The Londoner subjected the three-weight world champion to a cold salvo of...

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Professional boxing can be a hostile environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.But Terri Harper, a multi-weight world champion, looks to help wh...