Eddie Hearn has confirmed Anthony Joshua’s next steps after being involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that took the lives of two of his close friends.
Just days after knocking out Jake Paul in December, Joshua survived a car accident in December, which killed pals and team members Sina Ghami and Lateef 'Latz' Ayodele.
'AJ' addressed Sina and ‘Latz’s passing in a candid and emotional video on his YouTube channel.
The tragic circumstances threw his legendary professional career into doubt, having returned to the win column following his victory over Paul.
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But Hearn, who has promoted Joshua’s entire pro career, insists the star boxer will lace up a pair of gloves again, mapping out his next move.
The Matchroom chief claims Joshua is targeting a July return but admits Tyson Fury, who is making his own comeback, won’t be his next opponent.
Hearn told Sportsman Boxing: "[He was] due to fight in March, then fight Tyson Fury. That's not happening anymore. He won't be fighting Tyson Fury next.
"We've really not had any solid plans to announce what's next.
"The focus for Anthony Joshua is to get back into training camp. He's not ready to go back into training camp, physically but it's getting closer
"I think there's nothing more that he wants at the moment than to return to training camp because it's where he loves to be.
"Really, I think July is the time to return. We are looking at multiple options around the world for that potential return.
"I haven't spoken that deeply with Anthony yet until he gets back into camp, and hopefully that will be in the next couple of weeks."
Tyson Fury reveals Anthony Joshua inspiration for his comeback
A super-fight between Joshua and Fury had been mooted and was reportedly in the works. However, plans went out of the window following Joshua’s accident before Christmas.
Though it appears the all-British showdown is back on track following Hearn’s comments.
Fury himself is returning to the ring after calling time on his career following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
And he credited Joshua for the inspiration to come back to the sport.
"Tomorrow might not ever come," said Fury, who returns to action against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11.
"The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua. I was on holiday in Thailand with my family for Christmas, just to get away from the rain.
"I hear all that bad news that's gone on and I thought, you know what, life is very short, very precious and very fragile.
"Anything could happen at any given moment and you should never put things off until tomorrow, or the next year or next week, because tomorrow is not promised to nobody.
"Tomorrow is a mystery, we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I'm going to come back to boxing - because it's something that I love, I'm passionate about and that I've always been in love with.
"There is no tomorrow to put it off to, so that's why I'm back today for this big fight."
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar