Joshua motivated to continue boxing, says Hearn

British boxer Anthony Joshua is reportedly reconsidering his retirement plans, with his promoter Barry Hearn suggesting the former two-time heavyweight champion is now motivated to continue fighting for up to three more years. This shift in perspective comes after a difficult period for Joshua, including a tragic car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two close friends and left him with minor injuries.

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Anthony Joshua is in an amazing place at the moment.

Following his recovery and mourning, Joshua has resumed his boxing career and is on track for a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury. He recently knocked out Jake Paul in December and was slated to face Rico Verhoeven in February, but the accident forced a postponement. Joshua is now set to fight the lesser-known Albanian Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. This bout precedes Fury's fight against Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday.

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I don’t think I’ve seen him so motivated for the long term.

If both Joshua and Fury emerge victorious and remain injury-free from their respective fights, organizers are aiming to stage a major domestic clash between them in November. Despite speculation that a potential fight with Fury could be Joshua's farewell bout, Barry Hearn insists that the boxer has rediscovered his long-term ambition. "Anthony Joshua is in an amazing place at the moment," Hearn told Sky Sports. "I don’t think I’ve seen him so motivated for the long term. As I say, some of that has been fuelled by that tragic accident, but he’s now talking about the next three years in the ring."

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As I say, some of that has been fuelled by that tragic accident, but he’s now talking about the next three years in the ring.