David Benavidez wiped out Demetrius Andrade in chilling fashion on Saturday night before throwing down the gauntlet to Canelo Alvarez.
In a fight billed as one of the toughest of his career to date, super-middleweight monster Benavidez instead blasted his way to a six-round statement victory against Andrade, the former middleweight and light-middleweight world champion making his second appearance at 168lbs.
It was the latter who made the more impressive start in Las Vegas and arguably banked the first three rounds as he showcased exactly the kind of boxing prowess the sport's die-hard fans know he has in the locker.
Yet from the fourth onwards, Andrade was dealt a painful lesson in what happens when a well-schooled veteran with no experience against world-level opposition steps up to face a younger, heavier and in-form contender dismantling anyone and anything his way.
Benavidez made mince meat of the 35-year-old, dropping him in the closing seconds of round four and clubbing home a series of brutal combinations over the next two.
David Benavidez wiped out Demetrius Andrade in chilling fashion on Saturday night
Benavidez floored Andrade on his way to a stoppage victory in just six rounds in Las Vegas
Former two-weight world champion Andrade was outclassed by his younger opposition and ultimately pulled out by his corner
Benavidez wasted no time in calling out Canelo Alvarez after his latest explosive victory
At the end of the sixth, when their man was simply proving too brave for his own good, Andrade's corner had seen enough and rightfully waved the contest off, signaling the first defeat of his professional career.
It was another blistering display from Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), who celebrated by seeking out heavyweight icon Mike Tyson at ringside.
And after hopping back into the ring, the 28-0 powerhouse wasted no time in calling out Mexican rival Canelo.
'I think I solidified myself as the dominant performer I am,' Benavidez said during his post-fight interview. 'Now just give me the fight that everyone wants to see.
'Let's give the people what they wanna see. Who wants to see David Benavidez vs Canelo?'
Andrade, meanwhile, highlighted the difference in size between both men while paying credit to his tormentor on the night.
Talk will now turn to a mega-fight between Benavidez and Canelo, the 168lbs king who most recently cruised to a shutout points win over undisputed light-middleweight champion Jermell Charlo.
He celebrated afterwards with boxing legend Mike Tyson, who congratulated him on the win
Benavidez maintained his perfect record of 28 straight victories, with 24 coming by knockout
In the co-main event on Saturday night, Charlo's brother, WBC middleweight champion Jermall, and Jose Benavidez Jr. put on a show in a 10-round non-title match.
Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) spent much of the fight absorbing shots from Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1), but delivered much more damage than he received.
His rapid-fire left-hook, right-uppercut combination stopped Benavidez in his tracks several times as the champ kept his perfect record intact.