Frank Warren, the promoter of Tyson Fury, has expressed fears that Anthony Joshua may never return to the boxing ring following the devastating car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends.
The Tragic Incident in Lagos
The former heavyweight world champion was involved in a collision near Lagos on Monday, December 30, 2025. The vehicle he was travelling in with three other passengers hit a stationary truck. Anthony Joshua emerged with minor injuries and is in a stable condition in a Nigerian hospital, having not required emergency treatment. Tragically, the accident proved fatal for two other passengers.
They have been named as Latif 'Latz' Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both described as long-time, trusted members of Joshua's inner circle. Ayodele, a personal trainer and close friend since before Joshua's professional career began, and Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach of over a decade, were killed. The profound personal loss is expected to leave deep psychological scars on the boxer.
Warren's Concerns Over Joshua's Future
The tragedy has cast severe doubt over Joshua's fighting future, including a long-awaited blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury that had been tentatively slated for 2026. Speaking to ITV News, Warren voiced his concerns about Joshua's mental state following the horrific event.
'This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of it physically well but mentally is another issue,' Warren said. 'I don’t even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again or if he will ever fight again, that is something that only time will tell.'
In a separate interview with The Mirror, Warren appeared to dismiss any prospect of the Fury fight happening soon. 'I can’t see that fight [with AJ] happening now, certainly not until very late in the New Year,' he stated, adding that Fury himself had not yet made a concrete decision to return to the ring.
Community Mourning and Support
The boxing world has rallied in support. Tyson Fury, who has not fought since his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in May 2024, sent a message of condolence: 'This is so sad. May god give them a good bed in heaven.'
Joshua's career had been on a high note, having brutally knocked out Jake Paul in Miami just 11 days before the crash. The sudden shift from triumph to tragedy has stunned the sports community. As Joshua remains under observation in hospital, the focus is on his recovery from a trauma that extends far beyond any physical injuries.
