BY GABRIEL PRINCEWILL
Popular British heavyweight, Anthony Joshua returns from injury next week to face American Jason Gavern at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on 4 April. Joshua, 25, was forced to withdraw from a fight against very experienced American fighter, Kevin Johnson in January due to a back injury. Athletic Joshua has captured the interest if British fans right across the nation since he turned professional after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympic games after just four years as a professional. Joshua has knocked out all 10 opponents inside four rounds, his most recent victim being Michael Sprott who lasted just one round. It is fair to say that whilst Joshua has not yet been tested, his opponents have been of at least moderate quality and the way Joshua has so far disposed of them has been decisive and impressive for a beginner in the professional ranks.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn who has touted Joshua as the man to take over the reins of Lennox Lewis has always expressed his conviction that Joshua is the best of the current crop of British heavyweights, and has even challenged Leading British heavyweight Tyson Fury to a fight later this year. He has repeatedly expressed his conviction that the more experienced Fury is not ready for Joshua, and has even gone further to assert his belief that Joshua would beat Chisora and huge 6ft. 9inches Scouser, David Price.
In relation to his fight with Gavern, Hearn stated “It’s a nice test on his return. Gavern has plenty of experience but Anthony has plenty of frustration to let out.” Indeed, Gavern has won 26 fights out of 45 fights, but the fact he has also been knocked out 9 times out of the 19 times he has been defeated makes it less likely that he will upset the odds and beat Joshua next weekend. However, he may just give Joshua a few solid rounds because the 6ft 2 American has been the full distance 24 times in his 12 year career and therefore brings with him a lot of experience.
