Heart of a champion — Anthony Joshua returns to boxing after a traffic accident

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has stepped back into the gym following the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members.

The 36-year-old former world champion escaped with only minor injuries when the accident occurred in Nigeria on 29 December.

Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were killed when the vehicle carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck on a busy road near Lagos.

Nineteen days after the incident, Joshua shared a Snapchat video of himself hitting pads and training, captioned “mental strength therapy,” signaling his return to physical activity.

Joshua had just defeated Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December, mere days before the crash happened while he was on holiday in Nigeria.

Last week, he paid a heartfelt tribute to Ghami and Ayodele on Instagram:

"I didn't even realise how special they are," he wrote. "I'll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men. 100% it's tough for me, but I know it's even tougher for their parents."

Anthony Joshua injured in fatal car crash in Nigeria

Promoter Eddie Hearn has stressed that Joshua will take the time he needs before deciding whether to return to the ring.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Hearn said: "He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future. I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right. It's certainly not a conversation I'll be having with him any time soon."