Joshua’s Family Reacts To Boxing Return Rumors

February 25, 2026

2 weeks

Joshua’s Family Vows Full Support Whether He Retires or Returns

Credit: Esther Lin / Most Valuable Promotions https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/anthony-joshua-on-course-for-late-summer-return

Anthony Joshua’s uncle, Ademola Joshua, says the family will back him if he continues boxing.

Joshua’s future is in doubt following the fatal car accident that claimed the lives of his strength coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele in Nigeria. While Joshua emerged with only minor physical wounds, the fallout has led to intense speculation about an early retirement.

Joshua has recently been seen back in the gym in Dubai, though promoter Eddie Hearn has clarified that this isn’t a traditional fight camp. Instead, the sessions have been described as “mental strength therapy.” And according to his uncle, the family is prepared to stand by the 36-year-old if he chooses to continue boxing.

Joshua’s Family

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“We are proud of him, very proud of him. The way we, the elderly, think is very different from theirs, but it is all at his discretion. He makes the full decision, and we have full respect for him, whatever he decides. Whatever he has decided within himself, we will support him fully. Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us also,” Ademola said

Eddie Hearn has also clarified his prior comments where he hinted that Joshua could be back by the summer. The Matchroom Boxing promoter stated that Joshua could be in training by that time, although no decisions have been made over whether he will fight again. Joshua has not boxed since his stoppage win over Jake Paul last December. Prior to that, Joshua suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024. While there are rumors over a Tyson Fury fight following the latter’s decision to come out of retirement, there is no decision made as to what Joshua does next.

Will Joshua Return?

Joshua’s Family Reacts To Boxing Return Rumors 2

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“I think he’s thinking about going back to [training] camp. I don’t think he’s thinking about fighting. He’s just thinking about, at some point, returning to training camp because I think he likes doing that, and that’s going to give him the answers as to ‘if’ and ‘when’ [he fights again]. Only then can there be a conversation about what’s realistic time wise and opponent wise, and that’s why we said July-ish could be a potential return. No decisions made yet.

“He could also go back to training camp and determine he’s not ready yet, and fight at the end of the year, or decide his heart isn’t in it anymore. I think training camp is a good place for him, because it’s a place that he feels very happy and motivated, and hopefully physically, he’ll feel like he’s ready to return,” Hearn stated