Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed confidence that Anthony Joshua will return to the boxing ring following the tragic death of two of his close friends in a car crash.
The British-Nigerian boxer lost Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami—both close friends and key members of his team—after a crash last month in Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger in a black Lexus that collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Makun.
Usyk, who defeated Joshua in their 2021 and 2022 bouts, revealed that he has spoken with his former rival since the incident and believes retirement is not on Joshua’s mind.
“I’ve already spoken with him,” Usyk told Ready to Fight. “I heard a desire to continue in his voice—for the friends he lost and for the life God allowed him to keep.”
Drawing from personal experience, Usyk added that encouragement from the family of a fallen comrade once inspired him to keep going, and he believes Joshua’s late friends will also be a source of strength for him.
Following the tragedy, speculation grew that Joshua might step away from boxing. A potential blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury has since been put on hold, and promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Joshua may take time away from the sport.
“He needs time—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually—before deciding his future,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “I believe he’ll want to return, but that choice is his when the time is right. Right now, the only question is whether he’s okay.”
Earlier this week, Joshua shared a video of himself training in Dubai, captioning it: “Mental strength therapy,” hinting at a gradual return to routine as he processes the loss.