Lawrence Okolie was supported by fighting royalty ahead of his world title clash with Michal Cieslak as Anthony Joshua and Israel Adesanya walked him to the ring.
Okolie went on to make a successful second defence of his cruiserweight belt, outpointing the Pole in decisive fashion.
And he was flanked by former heavyweight world champion Joshua and by UFC middleweight champion Adesanya at The O2 arena.
Joshua, who is preparing for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, and Adesanya, who outpointed Robert Whittaker earlier this month, share a Nigerian heritage with Okolie.
Cieslak was roared on by a passionate Polish support in London but Okolie landed a huge right hand inside 90 seconds.
HIs challenger clung on for dear life to avoid slipping to the canvas and was able to survive to hear the bell.
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Okolie controlled the second round but was at times guilty of lunging in as Cieslak attempted to smother the champion’s attacks.
Cieslak landed his best shot to date when a left hook caught Okolie on the chin at the start of the third period.
The challenger had weathered the early storm and had succeeded in frustrating the home favourite.
But Okolie waited patiently for his opening and found the target with an overhand right in the fifth round forcing Cieslak to the canvas.
Okolie sensed victory over the bloodied visitor but Cieslak battled on to the midway point of the contest.