Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury plunged into doubt | Boxing News

A monumental all-British heavyweight showdown seems to be hanging in the stability, with Frank Warren suggesting a potential bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua may not materialise until late 2026 – if at all. This follows a devastating car accident in Nigeria involving Joshua, which claimed the lives of two of his staff members.

Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in the collision close to Lagos, when their Jeep struck a stationary lorry. Joshua was taken out of the wreckage and rushed to hospital following the incident, where he’s receiving treatment for accidents sustained in the crash.

Whilst it will not be his main concern, questions have emerged relating to whether or not the 36-year-old will return to the ring, shortly after his knockout victory over social media character Jake Paul just before Christmas.

There had been hypothesis that Joshua might compete again in February before going through Fury in a much-anticipated conflict, but uncertainty now surrounds whether or not this will proceed following the tragic accident.

Speaking to The Mirror, Fury’s promoter, Warren, acknowledged uncertainty about what lies forward for both Fury and Joshua after the tragic incident and has now dismissed any risk of them assembly as early as 2026, as initially envisaged.

Warren said: “Well, boxing will certainly be the last thing on his [Joshua’s] mind, right now. He’s obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him.

“I do not know the extent of his accidents, but it is also how mentally this will have an effect on him. Boxing again would be the last factor on his thoughts, but tragedy can have an effect on people in different methods; sometimes, you need one thing you’ll be able to actually focus on to pull through to the other aspect.

“I know it’s very different, but you look at it with Tyson [Fury] when he was going through his trials and tribulations,” he continued. “It was boxing that got him back on track.

“I do not know how dangerous Anthony’s accidents are, but that might clearly impression issues as nicely. I do know he is in hospital, fortunately he is alive. He’s a very rich man and has a good household around that will carry him up, but it is going to take time.”

Fury was amongst the first to offer his sympathies to those affected by the collision when he posted on Instagram shortly after the news broke. He wrote: “This is so unhappy. May god give them a good mattress in heaven,” whilst in a separate message, he added: “There is no tomorrow. live, love, and give.”

Regarding Fury’s own prospects, his future remains unclear, as he has not stepped back into the ring following his two losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. ‘The Gypsy King’ has been suggested for a potential comeback, but Warren discloses that he has not yet discussed the next potential moves in his career with the 37-year-old.

“I’ve not spoken to Tyson at all,” he revealed. “He was on vacation, I do not even know if he’s back in the nation, but I go away him alone when he is away, there’s no level speaking to him.

“There’s obviously a lot bigger things going on than boxing with two people losing their lives, but Tyson hadn’t even made a concrete decision that he was definitely coming back. I can’t see that fight [with AJ] happening now, certainly not until very late in the New Year.

“I do know the plan was for AJ to combat again soon after the Jake Paul win, and then if all issues have been agreed, Tyson would come back and they’d meet.

“Tyson is a very, very wealthy guy. His family don’t want him to fight, but he could change his mind anytime. I certainly haven’t and won’t encourage him to fight again. But what I would hate is for him to retire and then come back in two, three years’ time. Fight when you’re at your peak and still going in your career.”