EDDIE HEARN ISSUES VITAL UPDATE: ANTHONY JOSHUA WILL DECIDE BOXING FUTURE WHEN READY
Is AJ retiring? Eddie Hearn discusses Anthony Joshua’s boxing future following the loss of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Eddie Hearn just gave an update on Anthony Joshua, who’s already back in the gym, only weeks after losing two close friends in a car accident. Joshua, 36, was in a terrible crash in Nigeria—he survived, but his friends and team members, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, didn’t make it.
Joshua came out with just minor injuries. He’d actually switched seats right before the trip, which probably saved his life. Now, he’s been seen training again, lacing up his gloves in Dubai.
Hearn, who’s promoted Joshua for years at Matchroom Boxing, met up with him recently and posted about it on Instagram: “Great to catch up with @anthonyjoshua today.” He called Joshua’s resilience “inspiring” but said the loss is hitting hard. Hearn said Joshua is taking his time, and he’s grateful for all the support and love people have shown for Latz and Sina.
Ever since the crash, people have been speculating about Joshua’s future in boxing. Hearn made it clear Joshua’s not rushing back—he’s taking a real break. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn said, “No one really wants to talk about what’s next for him right now. That’s a conversation for later.”
He added, “You just have to give someone space to process something like this. It’s not just a bad situation—it’s one you can never prepare for. No one wants to see a friend go through this.”
“It’s heartbreaking. When he’s ready, he’ll decide what’s next. You’ll hear it from him, and that’s the only voice that matters right now. We’ll give him all the time he needs to heal, in every way. What happened is anything but normal, and it’s devastating, especially for the families of Sina and Latz. Those guys were so loved.”
Joshua hasn’t said anything publicly about his plans for boxing yet. Earlier this month, though, he posted a moving tribute to Ayodele and Ghami on social media.
He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you’ve shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they were. I’d just be walking and joking with them, not knowing God put me in the presence of great men.
“It’s definitely tough for me, but I know it’s even harder for their parents. I’m strong, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”
Meanwhile, proceedings against the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, are set to be reopened on Tuesday. He’s facing charges for causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care, and not having a valid licence.
HOW DANIEL DUBOIS SURVIVED TWO KNOCKDOWNS TO STOP A BLOODY FABIO WARDLEY
"I had to dig deep." Read Daniel Dubois' full reaction to his stunning comeback victory against Fabio Wardley in Manchester.
The punch that changed everything wasn't thrown by either of the fighters.
Fabio Wardley came out blazing in his title defence, dropping Daniel Dubois just 10 seconds in. He did it again in the third round, making it look like his big night. But then, something strange happened. As Dubois got up after the fourth round, his trainer, Don Charles, slapped him hard on both cheeks.
That’s when Dubois woke up. “I had to make him realise what he needed to do,” Charles said afterwards. It’s not exactly the kind of thing you see at team-building seminars, but it worked. Dubois turned on, and suddenly Wardley’s reign started to unravel.
Wardley had picked Dubois for the first fight since collecting the WBO belt that Oleksandr Usyk dropped. Honestly, it looked like a smart pick: he dropped Dubois twice and set the tone. But after that slap, Dubois started seeing Wardley’s moves coming; those wild lunges became easier to dodge.
He landed his stiff jab and followed up with savage right hands. Wardley’s jaw somehow took the hits, but his nose was pouring blood, and his right eye was almost swollen shut. He kept pushing forward, showing crazy heart, while Dubois just kept piling on. The fight turned into a brutal spectacle, the kind you can’t look away from.
Wardley got checked twice by doctors but kept fighting. Honestly, it could've stopped before the second-to-last round, when referee Howard Foster finally stepped in. Dubois got his second world title; Wardley, battered and worn, just managed a thumbs up to his mum.
Dubois summed it up later: “I had to dig really deep. When you’re a warrior, you go to dark places. I was nervous at first, all over the place, and had to fight my own battles. That slap woke me up. My dad and everyone were in my corner; I couldn’t let them down.
“Fabio came to fight; he was tough. We were exhausted; it was a real war. I had to use all my skills to win. Great fight, great battle, and I’m No. 1 again.” Sure, Usyk might argue about that, but Dubois proved something; he got up off the canvas and won.
People have called Dubois a quitter since the Joe Joyce fight six years ago. Wardley himself thought Dubois would fold again in Manchester, and for three rounds it looked like he was right until reality snapped Dubois awake.
HEARN HITS BACK: CONTRACT DISPUTE THREATENS DANA WHITE’S MASSIVE FURY VS AJ PROMOTION
"This year is the busiest of my career." Read Dana White’s full statement on promoting the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight.
Dana White is set to take the lead as promoter for the upcoming clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
After a long wait, Fury and Joshua will finally face off later this year in what promises to be a major British heavyweight showdown.
The fight is lined up to happen, provided both fighters navigate their respective warm-up bouts first. Joshua is expected to step into the ring against Kristian Prenga on July 25.
This event is shaping up to be massive, with the fighters’ usual promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, continuing to represent them.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh will be backing the event financially, and it’s slated to be broadcast live on Netflix.
In a surprising move, Dana White from Zuffa Boxing has announced he’ll be the one promoting the fight.
White said, “This year is hands down the busiest of my career. I’m travelling widely, fully focused on Zuffa Boxing, signing fighters and putting on solid fights. We’ve also struck a deal with Sky in the UK, so look out for quality matchups there. And yeah, I’ll be promoting the Tyson Fury vs AJ fight.”
His role doesn’t come without complications, though, especially since Hearn and Warren are often viewed as rivals.
Tensions between White and Hearn have been rising recently, particularly after White signed Conor Benn, which didn’t sit well with Hearn.
White’s ability to lead this event comes largely through Alalshikh’s backing, who has been a key financial supporter of the UFC Boxing initiative.
Unsurprisingly, Eddie Hearn responded sharply to White’s announcement.
Calling White a clout chaser, Hearn dismissed the idea as contractually impossible and challenged White to back his words.
With this level of friction, things might get even more heated in the weeks ahead.
No official date or venue has been announced yet for the fight, but there’s hope among fans that it will take place in the UK.
