British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a devastating car crash in December which saw two of his close friends killed and Eddie Hearn has given an insight into the true impact
Eddie Hearn questioned whether Anthony Joshua would ever return to the boxing ring following his car crash just five months ago.
Joshua, 36, was involved in a crash in Nigeria in December which killed two of his close friends. Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, both died at the scene, having been travelling alongside the heavyweight champion when the Jeep that they were in collided with a stationary truck.
Joshua escaped with minor injuries but was hospitalised in the aftermath. Police launched an immediate investigation.
Speaking at a press conference previewing a July 25 bout with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, promoter Hearn said: “You’re talking about six months where he was involved in a tragic accident. Physically, he was seriously damaged in that accident.
“Mentally and emotionally, you can only imagine what was going through his mind. What he has done to pull himself back, physically and emotionally with this driving force. He’s more dangerous than he’s been before.
“After the accident, you never know if you’re ever going to be the same. I don’t think you can be. I don’t think it’s something you ever get over.
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“You’re in it. He experienced it. He saw everything. You can only imagine what he felt like losing his two best friends in that moment. He’s come back with this purpose to support and be there for those families but also come back with this driving force.
“Don’t forget, those two people were two of his biggest supporters, they were two of his greatest friends. They wanted him to succeed more than anything. They actually dedicated their own lives to the movement of AJ and achieving his dreams in the sport and I think he’s carrying that purpose. “And what he’s done as a man, he’s stepped up on so many different levels here to say ‘no, boxing is my purpose’.
“Before he could even get into camp, he had to do three months of rehab, the menial stuff, being on a bike for three hours a day. Doing little movements with his body. I didn’t know physically if he would ever return to boxing. Mentally is a different thing.”
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared at Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun state near Lagos in February for his role in the crash, with the case then adjourned to March 13. He had already appeared in court on January 20, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and reckless and negligent driving.
Kayode was previously released from custody after being granted bail of around £2,600. He also faces charges of driving without due care and driving without a valid driver’s license as he faces the prospect of life in prison.
Joshua had previously opened up on how the crash and the loss of his friends had affected him. He said: “I could reach out to all of you far and wide, worldwide who are showing so much love, care, support through that tragic, traumatic time where we lost Latz and Sina in Nigeria.”
Joshua added: “Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose like two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about.” He went on to add: “[They were] major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives, it’s tough, it’s really tough.”
“I’ve lost people before, but I don’t think I’ve lost people like that, my left and my right. There is a whole system that will be helping fulfil their legacy, fulfil their dreams. But I know in my corner of the world, I know what I’m doing, and I know what we’re gonna do to continue there.”
His clash with Albanian star Prenga is all part of his build-up to his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. The pair have signed terms on a bout, albeit an official date has not been announced. Fury in the meantime has announced that he too will be fighting in a warm-up on August 1 in Dublin but his opponent is yet to be announced.
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