Kell Brook and Amir Khan's bitter rivalry finally came to an end on Saturday as the Sheffield fighter outclassed his opponent to win the much-anticipated bout.
It was a fight that had been touted for well over a decade with the duo exchanging very hostile sentiments towards each other in the build-up.
Their animosity towards one another stemmed from their junior days and, after many near misses, the fight was finally arranged for what promised to be a special occasion at the Manchester Arena.
Brook's power and efficiency too much for Khan
It was a bout between two boxers with different styles - Khan being all about speed and Brook about accuracy and timing.
In round one, Brook sought to overpower the Bolton boxer and Khan's legs wobbled, giving an early indication of what was to come.
Khan, who was fighting for the 40th time in what has been a very impressive career, rallied back in round two but from then until the conclusion in round six, the fight was dominated by Brook.
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In the middle of the sixth round, with Brook giving Khan a pummelling, the referee stopped the fight just as the Khan corner were readying the towel themselves.
Brook calls out Eubank Jr while Benn looks on
While Brook might be 35, the fight on Saturday proved there is still plenty left in the tank yet and now there will be speculation surrounding who his next opponent will be.
Chris Eubank Jr, a former world title winner and currently ranked as the best active middleweight boxer, could be Brook's next target and the winner from Saturday did not rule it out.
"I can live at peace with Amir Khan on my record," Brook said. "My mojo is back and I love this game. We will listen to loved ones and see, but I'm back, baby.
"I can walk away but I could fight [Chris] Eubank [Jr]. I don't like Eubank. If the fight is right I will fight - I'm a prizefighter."
Conor Benn is also a possibility, with the son of former two-division champ Nigel looking to step up to world title level after holding the WBA Continental welterweight belt.
Khan's career set for closure
While Brook rode off with the bragging rights, Khan looked crestfallen as he exited the arena, covered in bruises and cuts.
The speed which saw him claim silver at the 2004 Olympics and carried him to some great heights - winning the WBA and IBF light-welterweight belts being the most notable - simply wasn't there and he looked vulnerable when Brook landed punches.
It was his first fight since a win against Australian Billy Dib back in July 2019 and he could never get into a rhythm against someone who looked sharper and fitter.
Even though he was predictably bolshy in the build-up, Khan admitted his love for the sport and focus wasn't 100 per cent and now says that could be the last we see of him in the ring.
"Forty fights is a lot of fights. Winning two world titles, going to America... I need to sit down with my family, but it's more towards the end of my career," he said.
"That love of the sport is not there any more. When I was in the ring [before] I had that excitement, but I didn't have it. I felt quite flat and maybe that's a sign I should be calling it a day."
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