Deontay Wilder became the first American in nearly a decade to win a piece of the heavyweight title, staggering Bermane Stiverne early on his way to a 12-round unanimous decision on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT) that kept him unbeaten in 33 fights.
It was the first heavyweight title fight at the MGM Grand since Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the infamous Bite Fight 18 years ago.
Both Tyson and Holyfield were on hand to watch, as was Larry Holmes, who fought often on the big stage as heavyweight champion in the 1970s and '80s.
Going deep into a fight for the first time in his career, Wilder controlled proceedings with a big left jab, often followed by right hands up the middle as he piled up points early on his way to the biggest win of his career.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games bronze medallist, who had never been past the fourth round in winning all 32 of his previous fights, had to go the distance against Stiverne.
But the payoff was the WBC heavyweight title and a chance to be a big man on a big stage.
One ringside judge gave Wilder every round, scoring it 120-107, and he won 119-108 and 118-109 on the other two.
"I'm going to bring excitement back to the heavyweight division," Wilder said.
"I'm not going to sit around. Whoever is ready, I'm ready."
Wilder had stopped all 32 of his opponents, 18 in the first round and none past the fourth. But his opponents were a suspect lot, and Stiverne (24-2-1) was his first big test as a pro, which he passed with flying colours.
And Wilder became the first American to hold a piece of the heavyweight title since Shannon Briggs in 2006.
"I think I answered a lot of questions tonight," Wilder said. "We knew we could go 12 rounds, we knew we could take a punch."
Wilder took some, but with a huge reach advantage he was able to keep Stiverne on the outside most of the night and made him pay the price when he came inside. Stiverne was never knocked down but was staggered several times.
Stiverne was defending the title he won last May when he stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round. The WBC title had become vacant by the retirement of Vitali Klitschko, whose brother, Wladimir, is considered the true heavyweight champion.
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