One of the year’s most anticipated fights took place across the pond. Whilst back home it was a story of late change, late drama and, quite frankly, late to the party. 

It began in Bolton, with a night intended to deliver Lyndon Arthur a slice of one of boxing’s many world honours. The fight week focused mainly on the domestic rivals that are a source of fascination to all. 

But it wasn’t Buatsi, or Azeez, or Yarde. In fact, it wasn’t even the proposed Braian Suarez who, at the 12th hour, was denied the right to fight due to a failed medical. Enter Boris ‘Blade’ Crighton. 

With a fight pencilled in for two weeks’ time, he was coming into it with plenty of preparation behind him. Of course, to navigate the ever-present stiff jab of Lyndon Arthur, one needs more than a few gym sessions. 

And Crighton had that as he remained sharp throughout 10 rounds which, at times, yearned for action. The Scot did also manage to land the fight’s first big shot, which briefly shook Arthur in the third. 

But it was a crumb of success in a fight that never got away from Arthur. 

He upped the tempo through the second half of the bout, and with the clock running to zero landed a right-hand that floored Crighton - a bit of gloss added to what Lyndon admitted was perhaps a below-par night. 

Next up for him will be the opportunity to fight for the IBO title. However, with the mix at light-heavyweight as exciting as ever, it may be hard to satisfy a boxing public who crave the thrill that comes from these domestic match-ups. 

To Telford, where Nathan Heaney delivered his biggest night amongst a chorus of Stoke’s loudest support. After a premature conclusion to September’s episode with Jack Flatley, this one felt long overdue. 

And both men took no time in getting to work. It was a fast-paced battle, one that felt a bit like a throwback. It was controlled in majority however by Heaney, who now places himself within eyeline of the British title. 

Yet it will be a fight overshadowed by the sheer drama and violence displayed by Andrew Cain and Ionut Baluta. 

If you know boxing, then you knew that this was set to break the entertainment scale. Cain has savaged his way to a deserved reputation as one of British boxing’s most dangerous fighters. 

Laughing in the face of such a threat would in many cases be considered a death wish. Yet with Baluta, it is purely a dismissal of fear. This is a man who enjoys the hostility. 

So when round one has passed, and he has hit the deck three times, you should never have expected anything but a green light for war. For the next nine rounds, both men went at it hammer and tongs. 

Whilst Cain struggled to find the explosiveness to match his opening round, Baluta swung for the hills, almost taking himself off his feet. Cain showed elusiveness but failed to back-up his feints with any volume. 

For Baluta, it was as simple as making a beeline for Cain in spite of what was coming back. The rounds were as exciting as they were brutal, with both men portraying cold-blooded killers under the hottest of lights. 

The fight was concluded with a sign of admiration which both men warranted after sharing such a battle. The scorecards provided one final piece of drama as a split decision went the way of Baluta. 

I think we can all agree that there will be no disputes on whether this fight needs a rematch. It was f****** brilliant. 

Further up north, and Lawrence Okolie was ready for world title defence number three. It had a been a fight week in which Okolie’s promotional standing seemed of more concern than the Commonwealth Silver medallist who stood as his latest challenge. 

Maybe with foresight that was correct. As for 12 rounds, Okolie and David Light provided little spark to a spiritless Manchester crowd. Okolie struggled to find his flow whilst Light just, well, existed. 

He did try to drag Okolie into something a little bit untidier which, yes, was physically possible. But it became clear quickly that this was a fit of styles that on any given night would make for the boxing equivalent of Night Nurse.

There was a show of spark in the final three as Okolie - cruising on the cards - threw with more vigour. It didn’t change the outcome and by and large will not change the fans’ perception of a fight that brought little action. 

Still, Okolie sits as the division’s number one and will look both ways at options that will nudge him closer to tying up the cruiserweight collection. He will be a horrific puzzle to complete for any fighter. 

Last, but definitely not least, we go to Las Vegas. 

David Benavidez and Caleb Plant’s war of words was settled as the pair produced a cracking 12 rounds to conclude what had been a distasteful build-up. 

It was a real fight of two halves as Plant boxed out the opening chapters before succumbing to the persistent pressure from Benavidez. It told a very different story to fights previous for Plant as he failed to dent Benavidez just five months after flattening Anthony Dirrell. 

Benavidez, the bigger and stronger man, neutralised the Plant threat by closing the distance and throwing in combinations. Looking spent for ideas down the stretch, Plant resorted to counter punching and clinching, hoping an opportunity would present itself. 

But it never, and Benavidez carried on frustrating by setting traps for left hooks and uppercuts. It was an elite performance. 

A clean sweep on the scorecards was the verdict and the two showed appreciation for what they both know was a boxing rivalry conducted in the right way. 

Next stop? Canelo. 

Oscar Bevis