Joshua was back in action after five months out of the ring with a stress fracture of the back, and opposing him was the ebullient Gavern, fighting for the 50th time in the paid ranks.
Gavern started well as Joshua eased his way back into the swing of things, but the American was floored twice in the second round as Joshua found his groove – but Gavern raised his hand in defiance as he heard the bell and headed back to his corner.
A stress fracture of the back forced Joshua out of his January bout with Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson, and the Olympic gold medal hero said it was tough not to capitalise on his rapid progress following another brutal KO win over Michael Sprott in Liverpool in November, but the 25 year old says he will be back and better than ever in the north east.
“I was on a roll and there was great momentum, but I think I can pick that up again,” said Joshua.
Brook came to the ring to a rapturous reception and rose to the occasion like an elite World ruler. The Sheffield star eased into the opening round and Dan felt the first of many right hands in the second half of the first stanza.
A sign of things to follow came in the second round as Dan hit the canvas early and then again after making the count, both from right uppercuts. The Romanian-Canadian was wobbled once more with a minute to go but gritted his teeth to hear the bell.
Kell Brook steps between the ropes for the first time as a World champion on Saturday night as he defends his IBF Welterweight title at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield against Jo Jo Dan in ‘Unbreakable’ presented by FX World, live on Sky Sports – after fearing he may never walk again after the shocking attack he suffered on holiday in Spain in September.
Brook ripped the title from Shawn Porter in Los Angeles in August with a stunning performance in the American’s backyard, but just two weeks after that win, Brook was fighting for his life in hospital after a machete attack whilst on holiday in Spain.
The Liverpool favourite landed the rematch he craved in December and has been working tirelessly in the gym with trainer Joe Gallagher to build upon the confidence from their first meeting and perfect a plan to leave the result in no doubt. Smith feels primed to rip the title from a champion that he respects, but does not believe can offer anything more than he did in their first meeting.
Carl Froch has vacated the IBF Super Middleweight title as he recovers from the injury that ruled him out of a clash with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The four-time World champion will now consider his future before potentially defending his WBA Super Middleweight title this summer.
Mandatory challenger James DeGale MBE will now fight the next available contender for the vacant title, and the IBF will instruct Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport as to who that will be and negotiations will commence immediately.
Tony Bellew will finally seek his revenge against arch rival Nathan Cleverly when the pair meet in the hugely-anticipated grudge match exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Three years ago, Cleverly defeated Bellew by a tight majority decision as he defended is WBO World Light Heavyweight crown and finally the rematch is on. On November 22 the pair will go head to head for the second time but at Cruiserweight back at the Echo Arena in Bellew’s home town of Liverpool.
Boxer Kell Brook is in a stable condition in hospital in Tenerife after an attack whilst on holiday with his family.
The IBF Welterweight champion was admitted to hospital in the early hours Thursday morning after suffering a serious stab wound to his left leg.
Commenting from his hospital bed, Kell Brook said:
“I was out enjoying a night out before returning home to the UK when I was the victim of an unprovoked attack.
Kell Brook has vowed to prove he is a World class fighter by ripping the IBF Welterweight crown from Shawn Porter when they clash at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on August 16.
Brook has had to bide his time for his first World title fight with three clashes against previous champion Devon Alexander cancelled through injury to both men.
The unbeaten Sheffield star will travel to America in two weeks’ time to complete his training camp, and Brook says that the time has come to show the world he belongs at the very top.
Anthony Joshua MBE expects the toughest test of his professional career on July 12 when he faces Matt Skelton at the Echo Arena in Liverpool live on Sky Sports.
Joshua has raced to 6-0 with all six wins coming inside the first two rounds and now the Olympic gold medal star steps into his first scheduled eight-round contest against the former British, European and Commonwealth champion and World title challenger.
Skelton has amassed 36 pro fights and stands just shy of 200 rounds, and while Joshua is preparing for a tough fight, he says he will not be taking silly risks to prove his chin can take a punch at the top level.