Joshua (r) tags Gavern with a right – Photo Lawrence Lustig

British heavyweight giant Anthony Joshua posted a third round knockout of Jason Gavern in Newcastle, England, and is now 11-0 (11 knockouts).

Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist in London 2012, was boxing for the first time in 5 months. A stress fracture of the back had threatened to hinder his professional ascent but, fully recovered, the 6ft 6 power puncher brought the customary firepower to the occasion.

Gavern did come to fight and was the beneficiary of, by Joshua standards, a relatively tame opening session. Still, normal service resumed in the second when the American absorbed a fierce beating which resulted in two official knockdowns.

There was no coming back and a rubbery Gavern was smashed to the canvas twice more in the third.

Joshua is now scheduled to face off against former world title challenger Kevin Johnson, on May 30, in London. The durable American, who has never been stopped, will be his toughest test to date but Joshua is already hinting that he will be the first man to halt the savvy veteran.

“Johnson has the same type of style as Gavern,” said the 25 year old, when interviewed by Sky Sports in the UK. “He has a defensive puzzle to unfold but there are two sides to a fight, the first six and the second six. One way or another they get broken down, whether it is in the first half or the second half.

“I had a bit of ring rust tonight and couldn’t display everything I have been doing in the gym. But once the momentum gets going I will be able to display some more shots, some more sharp shooting. If I can start pushing to British and European titles, step by step, these fights won’t really mean anything when I am experienced and a champion.”

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing