The latest chapter in Dillian Whyte’s unlikely underdog story brought the O2 to a sweaty, raucous and electric crescendo Saturday night.

Round 12 of a bruising battle saw Whyte forced to the canvas by a bludgeoning right from Joseph Parker… but he made the count and clung onto clinch a tight-but-unanimous points win.

Whyte, a father at 13. Whyte, who was stabbed and shot as a wayward youth. Whyte…now a millionaire with a world title tilt surely around the corner.

Whyte, whose mother left for London when he was two. Whyte, who didn't join her for a decade. Whyte, who had to start fighting young, still fighting, but doing so now to the acclaim of all who saw this latest instalment of his redemption tale.

He continues to bash his way through the glamour division of boxing with relentlessness, but, increasingly, an intelligence.

Whyte who played the villain to archival Anthony Joshua’s golden hero at this venue less than three years ago, raised the roof in victory. If the rematch were to happen now, you suspect south London would travel up to Wembley (or wherever) in droves to back Whyte against his longtime rival.

But he wasn’t alone in stoking the mood of the fans in the pulsating arena on Saturday night. His opponent Parker stuck true to his word and cast off the caution that helped him avoid trouble against Joshua, but also cost him chance of victory.

It’s hard to say the front foot approach worked for the former WBO champ. He was decked for the first time in his career - twice, although the first was largely due to a thudding and accidental clash of heads.

But Parker to his credit kept coming. And nearly closed the show with the right that rocked Whyte to his boots. He had no regrets post match. He congratulated his opponent and didn’t speak of any beef with the scorecards. His gentlemanly conduct conjuring one of the cheers of the night.

So, what next for both men? For Parker? I watched the fight in the stands alongside former middleweight World Champion Darren Barker and we wondered whether he might walk away at 26.

A man who scaled the heights to win a world title early in his pro career, but one who’d come up short in London twice in three months. A man with wealth. A man with the kind of fame in New Zealand and Samoa that promises commercial opportunities for years to come. And a man with a young family the other side of the world from heavyweight boxing’s epicentre - the UK.

But he vowed to continue “the amazing journey” post fight and told everyone left in the arena, “it was only the beginning.”

Parker’s pledge prompted more cheers from the members of the crowd who hadn’t made the dash to catch the tube. Rarely have both boxers been so warmly received by one auditorium. I popped to the gents between the 10th and 11th round and listened as punters passionately discussed how they liked both men and because of that didn’t care who won.

But Dillian Whyte won. A massive step in the rebuild that begun after his valiant and violent defeat at the hands of Joshua.

So, what next for him? Joshua again? If the WBC Champ Deontay Wilder doesn’t sign for April 13, why not? He’ll certainly take it. But Whyte would want a warm up fight first and conceded he has plenty to learn and, “still makes a lot of mistakes.”

You suspect the world title tilt will come eventually in a rematch with Joshua - Wilder effectively swerved Whyte in the past and Saturday night’s show would only serve to confirm the man from Alabama’s feeling that the man from Brixton brings more risk than reward.

But in the short term the heavy weight soup is simmering nicely. Everyone who’s winning has options and a shot at redemption’s never far away for the defeated.

Saturday’s undercard cemented that sense. Dereck Chisora, with a shoulder injury, at the age of 34 and having lost 3 of his last 6 fights, produced an explosive KO to stop fearsome Frenchman Carlos Takam in his tracks.

The crowd erupted with Del Boy’s win and those who called for him to retire have serious reason to reconsider. He stopped Takam earlier and more emphatically than the only other men to achieve the feat - Alexander Povetkin and Joshua. Remember those two meet to stir the pot big time in September.

And as for the British domestic heavyweight scene that was reignited by the ever-game Dave Allen who halted Nick Webb with a thunderous right hand.

I bumped into Dave at the hotel bar at 2AM - he said he took the fight last Sunday. He was planning on a break from boxing after some gruelling and draining bouts. With a British title shot against Hughie Fury there for the taking, you suspect the break will be postponed. In boxing, like life, you never know when the opportunity will arrive.

And after events like this, with great matches playing out to bellowing fans on a sultry summer’s night, who would step away from boxing?

The subplots and support cast all delivered. Katie Taylor defended her two World titles with her enthralling combination of effortless skill and constant aggression.

Nigel Benn watched on as son Conor showed acumen and growing nouse to outbox Frenchman Cedric Peynaud - who’d caused him so many problems in their first meeting. Conor’s first ten-round fight.

And Anthony Fowler and the sublime mover Joshua Buatsi delivered performances and emphatic finishes to build their resumes, but also set the atmosphere bubbling before Chisora and the main event ensured it boiled over.

Boxing’s big names were there and others from the sport and entertainment - though I have to say Jack Wilshere’s name prompted a few jeers when his presence was announced by Michael Buffer (disgruntled Arsenal fans!?).

Afterwards, when most of the crowd had fled the arena for home, boxing legends Carl Froch and Tony Bellew fielded photo requests from stragglers around the ring.

Social media influencers continued making their content - I recognised only footballing Youtuber Adam Mckola, a former colleague of mine I’m afraid - before they were finally ushered out by security staff. And gradually quiet took over the venue.

Still, the buzz of what had been remained, hanging in the warm air. The after glow of bruising and exhilarating entertainment. But beyond all, you could feel the continued buzz of Dillian Whyte’s story.

He’s still fighting. But from fighting on the streets of Jamaica and London, fighting for survival, he could soon be fighting to top the World. Few would celebrate aspects of his youth, but many would commend his response to his start in life. Question is, what’s next? Whyte or Wilder for Wembley? Over to AJ…