Boxing Apr 03, 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

Michael Conlan says 'goodbye to boxing' after shock split-decision defeat to Kevin Walsh in Belfast

Michael Conlan says 'goodbye to boxing' after shock split-decision defeat to Kevin Walsh in Belfast

Michael Conlan said "it's time to say goodbye" to boxing after suffering a shock defeat in his Belfast hometown when losing on a split decision to Kev...

Amanda Serrano: ‘When I started, women weren't getting these opportunities. We were fighting for recognition'

Amanda Serrano: ‘When I started, women weren't getting these opportunities. We were fighting for recognition'

Amanda Serrano believes women’s boxing has reached a new level.Serrano is a trailblazing, multi-weight world champion herself, who's competed with Kat...

Boxing 2026 fight schedule and latest results: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor and more

Boxing 2026 fight schedule and latest results: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor and more

Keep track of the latest boxing results and major fights coming up during 2026.Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to the sport after over a year...

Ricky Hatton: Not clear that former boxing world champion intended to take his own life, rules coroner

Ricky Hatton: Not clear that former boxing world champion intended to take his own life, rules coroner

Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton was looking forward to the future and it was not clear he intended to take his own life, the inquest into hi...

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney vs Mayelli Flores press conference - watch the free live stream

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney vs Mayelli Flores press conference - watch the free live stream

Caroline Dubois fights Terri Harper in a lightweight title unification while Ellie Scotney takes on Mayelli Flores to become the undisputed super-bant...

Barry McGuigan: 'People are overlooking how good Ellie Scotney is and what she’s achieved. She's phenomenal'

Barry McGuigan: 'People are overlooking how good Ellie Scotney is and what she’s achieved. She's phenomenal'

Ellie Scotney is on the edge of greatness, says boxing legend Barry McGuigan.Scotney takes on Mexico's Mayelli Flores for all four major super-bantamw...