Champion raises the standard in brutal display of patriotism

Boxer wraps Ukraine's flag around himself and his fists around Dubois - and leaves with yet another title

- Barney Ronay

Perhaps the most striking part of the surge of controlled fury that ended this heavyweight title fight wasn't the short right or the clubbing left that took Daniel Dubois down midway through the fifth round. It was Oleksandr Usyk's smile before the second of those shots. More of a snarl perhaps, as Dubois let his arms drop, giving Usyk time to load up, take aim and unleash a fully extended left hand to the side of the jaw that made Dubois crumple, legs folding under him as his father, Stan, threw in the towel.

This was always a huge occasion for both fighters. For Dubois it was a chance to unite the heavyweight belts on British soil in front of 90,000 people. For Usyk it was another opportunity to assert his own greatness, to walk in with three belts and leave with four, and complete his constant secondary arc of representing Ukraine in a time of war. He is now the two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion. Most astonishing, he seems to find new depths of will, control and finishing venom with each fight.

Perhaps the best part here was Dubois got to execute his own gameplan, to edge a couple of rounds and leave with his reputation if not enhanced then at least preserved, and to do all this while being violently outmatched. Facing Usyk at this level must feel like being battered off your feet while being simultaneously triple checkmated, thrashed at Cluedo and losing a game of dominos.

At the end, Usyk said: "I want a rest." He didn't look like he wanted a rest, or needed one, or even really understands what one is. He mentioned Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Do them all in one night, Oleks. In different ways. With a different walkout, and maybe just a single toilet break.