It went the way most experts and pundits thought it would, but few could have predicted how explosive and fast Ryan Garcia's win over Conor Benn would have been.
A lightning quick, powerful right hand sent Benn to the canvas in Round 2 and the Brit never recovered. Was it the weight cut? The occasion? Or simply the level of opposition? In truth, it was likely a mix of everything and it showed the current gap between Benn and peers such as Garcia, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson is a big one.
A telling assessment came from fellow Brit and welterweight contender, Jack Catterall, who wrote on social media: "I think levels are important in boxing winning a British title proving you're the best in your own country before you move on to world level. Middle fights are key to progression."
For all his star power and attraction out of the ring, Benn got to Saturday's mega-fight in Las Vegas without any English, British or Commonwealth belts. He's had some success, and one way or another, earned the right to be in there, even if it was more through his commercial power than boxing pedigree. Boxing is a business, after all.
Catterall knows that better than most for all the wrong reasons. He has been patiently winning fights and waiting for his shot at a title, only for Benn to jump ahead of him -- and others who probably deserved it more -- in the queue.
Garcia agreed Benn just hasn't got the runs on the board.
"He's exactly what I thought he was. He just needs to gain a little more experience," the WBC champion told his post-fight news conference. "I don't think he has enough experience at this point, but I think he will be back."
What can't be questioned is Benn's heart, dedication and grit. Not many would have got up from that Garcia right hand in the first place and it's obvious he put everything into his training to get back down to 147 pounds. He gives his life to the sport, but Saturday showed now matter how hard you train or how much you talk, there's no substitute for experience. Garcia started boxing from around the age of 7. Benn, 17. Still just 29-years-old, Benn will come again and could still be a world champion one day. He said before the fight he won't stay at welterweight so a move up to 160 or 168 pounds is next.
But the rebuild is tricky.
He has four fights left on his multi-million-dollar deal with Zuffa boxing, and given the amount of money he is being paid, it's hard to see him being put in against no-name opponents. He could return back against a top-10-ranked fighter, but that is a risk given they will likely have more experience too.
Regis Prograis was the perfect opponent for Benn's Zuffa debut in April. A big enough name and former world champion, but someone who was on the decline. However, fighters of that description are few and far between.
At the moment, the most likely option appears to be a Chris Eubank Jr. trilogy fight. Their rivalry is one apiece and a second victory would put Benn back on track. There's a chance, though, that there is serious fatigue around that fight for fans in the UK. The first battle was fight of the year and had been years in the making.
The rematch was far less entertaining and didn't have the same public appeal. A new narrative outside their already established dislike for each other will have to be thought up as well.
Even then, people might not buy it, but if Eubank Jr. is fit and at a comfortable weight, it could be a good fight.
Eubank Jr. didn't take long to start taunting his old foe again on social media. "Welcome to the 'fighting after cutting too much weight' club... Enjoy," he wrote, hinting at his rehydration clauses when he fought Benn.
Zuffa could throw Benn in against their IBF middleweight world champion Aaron McKenna but that fight won't engage the public in a way the Eubank Jr. or Garcia fights did, so would feel like a big step down in that regard. In an ideal world, Benn would take on at least two decent-level fighters to get more experience under his belt, but with the way boxing moves, that appears unlikely.
Another big night and big-name opponent calls.
After his performance against Garcia, other fighters and title holders may fancy themselves against Benn and see him as a good opponent who can help boost their own profile, too, so he won't be short of options.
Regardless, Garcia proved though that the levels in boxing are real and Benn's next move is a vital one if he's to get to the top.