“He Is Hurting.” Eddie Hearn Recounts First Meeting with Joshua After Accident

Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing and promoter of former world Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, spoke about their first meeting since the car crash that killed the Briton's close friends and coaches.

“This is the first time I’ve seen him since then. We’ve spoken, but it’s never the same as actually looking a person in the eye, feeling their presence and providing support. So that was important. We had a good time.

I’ll probably try to spend a bit more time with him over the next few weeks. You can see that he is hurting. I think there is no doubt about that. You can try to be as positive as possible, and Anthony is one of the most positive people I’ve met in my life. He lost two of his closest friends. Two people who lived alongside him. They talked every night. They had dreams. They had plans, and they’ll never be there…

Those people can’t be replaced, and I think it will take time. I’ve never been in this situation before. I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling or how the nights are going, or how the pain feels. I think in moments like this, you just do everything you can to be there for the person and the people around Joshua.

He’s very focused on the families, obviously, on the families of Sina and Latz and making sure they are looked after. I always only saw them as positive: they always lit up the room, laughing, joking, and smiling. I think they will always be remembered.

As for boxing, now is not the time, and I honestly don't know what he’s going to do. I wouldn't rule out any options, but I know that whatever he chooses, he wants to continue in their memory,” said Hearn.