Anthony Joshua finds "mental strength therapy" in return to the gym after fatal crash

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has resumed training, describing his return to the gym as "mental strength therapy" following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends.

The 36-year-old former world champion was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a stationary truck near Lagos on December 29. 

Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash, which tragically killed his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer, Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.

The boxer was later discharged from the hospital and then returned to the UK a few days later to complete his recovery process.

Joshua returns to the Gym

Just 19 days after the incident, Joshua shared a video on Snapchat of himself hitting pads and working out. 

The clip was captioned with the words "mental strength therapy," signalling his use of boxing as a way to cope with the emotional trauma.

After the accident, reports came out that the British boxer had decided to hang up his gloves and not return to the ring.

However, promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that Joshua will decide on his boxing future "when the time is right."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn emphasised the need for the boxer to heal. "He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future," Hearn said. "It is certainly not a conversation I'll be having with him any time soon."

Hearn added, "The only conversation is 'are you OK?' and sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved. When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision and you will hear it from him."