text: Anthony Joshua stopped experienced American Jason Gavern in the third round on Saturday night, but still wasn't happy with his performance. Gavern, in his 50th fight, was dropped twice in the second round and twice more in the third before the contest was waved off in Newcastle. But Joshua, who was returning from a five-month lay-off after suffering a stress fracture in his back, admitted he was not at his best. Anthony Joshua lands a left hand on Jason Gavern on his way to another convincing victory . Joshua dropped Gavern twice in the second round and twice in the third on his way to victory . 'I had a bit of ring rust so couldn’t display everything I have been doing in the gym,' he said after his 11th professional victory. 'But once the momentum gets going I will be able to display some more shots, some more sharp shooting. 'I have boxed in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, London and I have to say Newcastle is right up there with the crowd, so a big thank you to the fans tonight. 'There are a lot of expectations and Jason is a very awkward opponent. He’s a slippery customer and he is there to make me look back and he did a good job of that. 'I have a job to do and that is get a win. If I can start pushing to British titles, European titles step by step these fights won’t really mean anything when I am experienced and a champion.' Joshua jolted his opponent with a left hook in the opening round although Gavern showed all his experience in frustrating his younger foe. Joshua experienced few problems on his way to another routine victory in Newcastle . Joshua stands over the fallen Gavern as he boxed in front of the Newcastle crowd for the first time . Gavern did hit the canvas midway through the second after a short straight left although the 37-year-old complained he had taken a blow to the back of his head. He was on the canvas again after a brutal right hand followed by another left found its mark, but Gavern got up and defiantly raised his right hand. He was merely delaying the inevitable, though, and a flurry early in the third had him down once more before Joshua finished the job with yet another punishing left, as Gavern was this time unable to beat the count. Joshua will now face the toughest test of his career when he takes on Kevin Johnson next month. 'Johnson has same type of style as Jason; he was a defensive puzzle to unfold but I slowly broke him down and same with Kevin Johnson,' he added. '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.' Gavern was fighting for the 50th time as a professional but his experience counted for little .
target: Anthony Joshua has now won his first 11 professional fights .
  He needed just three rounds to beat Jason Gavern in Newcastle .
  Gavern was dropped twice in round two and again in the third .
  Joshua now takes on Kevin Johnson at the O2 on May 30 .