Anthony Joshua blasts out Jason Gavern in warm-up for Kevin Johnson fight

Boxing
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Posted: Apr 5, 2015 | Updated: 3 years ago

Anthony Joshua (11-0, 11 KOs) stretched his unbeaten record last night when he blasted out 36-year-old Jason Gavern within three round at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, many critics flocked to social media sites to criticise the level of opposition.

The Olympic gold medalist was matched with journeyman Jason Gavern (26-20-4, 11 KOs) as a tune up bout ahead of his scheduled fight against American Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson next month, this fight will be a totally different step-up in class for Joshua.

The unbeaten 25-year-old continued his impressive knockout streak by taking Gavern out in the third round after four knockdowns in total.

Joshua was forced to patient in the opening round as Gavern kept ducking his head and showed little ambition to engage, but a Joshua jab almost put him down and set the tone for the rest of the fight.

Anthony Joshua then went on to totally dominate, he was putting everything into his shots and no-one can fault his display although the level of his opponent offered very little, Gavern was totally out of shape albeit having one week’s notice to fight, he looked like he just been dragged out of the local pub.

However, in Joshua’s defence, he can only beat what his promoters put in front of him.

Referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight at 1:21 of the round when he sent Gavern down with a hard left-hook in the third.

Joshua, who was coming back after five months out with a back injury, was ruthless as he took apart Gavern, to the delight of the fans.

It was not all plain sailing for the Watford heavyweight, though, he admitted afterwards that he was on occasions frustrated by Gavern’s spoiling tactics.

“Jason Gavern (was a) very awkward opponent, slippy customer, he’s there to make me look bad and I think he did a good job of that,” Joshua said.

“At the end of the day, I’ve got a job to do and that’s get a win.”

“Hopefully if I can start pushing to British titles, European, step by step, these fights won’t really mean anything when I’m experienced and I’m a champion.”

“If I can start pushing to British titles and European titles, step by step these fights won’t really mean anything when I am experienced and a champion.”

The heavyweight prospect really needs a fighter to test him, hit him back and take him to later rounds, maybe then we can really see if he is the real deal.

He has not had much of a test in his first 11 fights, but the problem for Joshua is that he is ready for the top boys but lacks the experience; this is why he has been matched with lesser opponents.

Anthony Joshua will now move on to May 30 at London’s O2 Arena when we see him face Kevin Johnson, the Briton can be tested, but this all depends on which Kevin Johnson turns up on the night.

“Johnson has same type of style as Jason,” said Joshua. “He was a defensive puzzle to unfold but I slowly broke him down and it will be the same with Kevin Johnson.

“There are two sides to a fight, the first six and the second six. One way or another they will get broken down whether it is in the first half or second half.”

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