Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn just spoke with Fight Hub TV to talk about Anthony Joshua surviving a car wreck that killed two of his close friends and team members, and follow up reports about Joshua potentially
retiring. Hearn says there have been absolutely no talks on what Joshua will do going forward and that right now he just needs time to get himself together.
“I think we live in a world today where everyone feels like they deserve to know how he’s feeling and what’s next,” Hearn said. “I’m getting calls everyday from media, like ‘can you give us an update on his career?’ It’s like, are you serious? Right now probably whilst he’ll need strength around him, right now he should be left alone to recover physically and emotionally and spiritually. Anything you hear about his career — until you hear it from AJ, don’t believe it.”
Hearn was then asked about the physical damage done to Joshua, who was reported to have only sustained minor injuries in the crash.
“Unfortunately it was a terrible accident, tragic injury, and he’ll take a little bit of time to recover physically,” Hearn said. “I think more will come out on that when Anthony’s prepared to share it. For me, I find it a little bit disrespectful to even — I know it’s my job to speak on his behalf sometimes, but this is not boxing. You know, this is life and this unfortunately the very, very sad side of life.
“Right now there’s no comment on AJ’s career until we have an opportunity for that time to come where a conversation should take place, and that’s no where near happening right now.”
Hearn would then be asked a question about the status of a Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz fight, which still hasn’t formally been made.
“I mean, we kind of wait in hope, I guess,” said Hearn. “We keep being told that things are progressing but then we don’t really get anywhere. We will have to make a move soon. Boots is due to fight at the end of March. Could that go to April? Maybe. We don’t want it to but we got to make our own moves. With all due respect to Vergil Ortiz, he doesn’t have anything other than people saying he might be the best 154 in the world, and that’s the same for Jaron as well. That’s why the fight makes so much sense, ‘cause it’s the best vs the best. But it’s not like he’s a champion and we have to kind of like sing to his tune.
“We’ve been as courteous as we can but sooner or later we have to make another move. But it will be a very sad say for boxing if Vergil Ortiz doesn’t take that fight because everyone knows that’s the best fight in American boxing right now. So we live in hope.”
