![Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua needs time to heal from the loss of his friends during an accident in which he (AJ) was also involved in. [Image source: The Irish Sun]](https://newsroundtheclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RAS-OFF-PLATFORM-HEARN-JOSHUA.jpg "RAS-OFF-PLATFORM-HEARN-JOSHUA")
Eddie Hearn has urged patience and compassion as Anthony Joshua processes a devastating personal loss. The promoter insists boxing discussions must wait while the former heavyweight champion grieves.
Joshua’s close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, died in a car crash near Lagos on December 29. Joshua was also in the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.
The tragedy came just 10 days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami. That bout marked his return following a September 2024 defeat to Daniel Dubois.
Hearn revealed he has spoken cautiously with Joshua since the incident. “I’ve had a few conversations with him,” he said. “It’s only now we’ve been talking more because it’s going to take you time to get over something like that.”
He dismissed questions about Joshua’s career future as insensitive. “It baffles me that people are on me asking what’s next,” Hearn said. “No, those conversations are a long way away.”
Hearn explained his immediate priority is personal support. “My plan will be to see him over the next week, as a mate,” he said. “I’d be an idiot to do that. It would be completely wrong.”
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Hearn says time, not titles, will guide Joshua’s next decision
He stressed that boxing currently holds no urgency. “When things like this happen, it’s just not about boxing,” Hearn said. “Time to grieve and come to terms with a tragic incident.”
Hearn accepts any outcome Joshua chooses. “If he never fought again, you could never ever blame him,” he said. Still, optimism remains. “Knowing AJ, after he’s grieved, I believe he will want to get back to boxing.”
“The only thing that will make the mind clearer is time,” Hearn added. “We could not fight for two years or ever again.”
The promoter also reflected on the loss personally. “Sina and Latz were two guys incredibly close to him,” he said. “So loyal and passionate.”
Hearn admitted the scale of the tragedy remains overwhelming. “My heart breaks for him,” he said. “You never really know how someone’s feeling.”
He concluded with a message of support. “That’s why we’ve got to be there for him,” Hearn said. “We’ve got to give him all the support he needs.”
Tags: Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua, Sina Ghami, Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
