It makes no difference that in the end there was not a clear single punch that left Dominic Breazeale bleeding, confused and stretched across the canvas in round seven at the O2.
Anthony Joshua retained his IBF heavyweight title when Breazeale finally succumbed to the hurtful effects of being hit for seven rounds; it was the combination of a few swinging punches, a drained system and the promise of more punishment that sent Breazeale tumbling.
Joshua said after the fight that he was tired, that he needed a rest and at times he did look a bit weary as he methodically broke Breazeale's heart. Joshua is a young man in boxing terms and it is too easy to forget that he was suddenly installed as world heavyweight champion in April when he should really still have been learning his craft, looking at ways to improve his variety of punches. This fight, which was only the second of Joshua's 17 to go beyond the third round, highlighted his many raw flaws.
He falls over his right hand if he misses with it, he fails to bend his knees when he throws an uppercut, he tends to cock the right if he has thrown a long left jab and he has not shown a single sign of a feint. He is a rock, make no mistake, but against any form of versatility he will struggle.
Joshua has grown accustomed to hurting men and has perhaps neglected the business of learning to be a boxer. He is a fighter and not a contestant in the world's strongest man.
Breazeale came to London to prove that he had a good chin, a big heart and that he would not fall over the first moment he was clipped. The bookies had him as such an extreme bet that you needed a telescope to see his chances. He ticked every one of his personal boxes and he tried to counter Joshua's missed shots, he did try his own short hooks and he certainly tried a jab or two. He was, in the end, too slow and then he was too battered, and then he collapsed twice when Joshua caught him just above his high gloves.
Joshua has done everything asked of him since travelling to Baku in Azerbaijan in late 2011 to take part in the World amateur championships. He reached the final to qualify for the London Olympics and when he got there he started as an underdog in three of his fights before taking gold.
As a professional he has stood to attention after knocking men out and when the unexpected chance came to fight for the IBF title in April he stepped in and did the business. At the O2 against Breazeale he continued his task, his mission and was impressive.
He will beat men like Breazeale for breakfast, but after the rest he must return to show the signs of improvement, signs that he is aware there is more to the noble art than simply waxing a six pack and swinging a hefty right hand at the exposed head of your next victim. Breazeale, by the way, connected only a few times and each time Joshua smiled.
There will be harder fights, better fights and defeats in Joshua's future. He will be tested by men as tough as Breazeale, but with boxing brains and also men that will be able to counter his often wayward right hand. He will become a very good fighter, a different fighter to what he is now and watching that development will be fun.
The faithful at the sold-out O2 -- it was Joshua's fifth consecutive fight at the iconic London venue -- will continue to back him as he continues to learn, and the choice of opponent for his November return will not alter their piety. Incidentally, there is no chance of it being David Haye, the former champion, who appears like magic at ringside and talks a lot of sense.
Watching Haye watch the fight, it was possible to see him nodding and planning a victory if ever Joshua's handlers are foolish enough to accept him. Right now Haye knows too much -- Joshua will have to change and he is smart enough to make that happen.