The world marks its time by the Greenwich Meridian so we should have known the witching hour was nigh.
Midnight was approaching as the spectre of youth, in the shape of Chris Eubank, came to haunt James DeGale on the waterfront of that historic London peninsula.
Years have ebbed away since DeGale became the first British boxer to add a world title to Olympic gold and age caught up with him on Saturday night.
Chris Eubank Jnr likely ended the career of his rival James DeGale with victory on Saturday
Eubank Jnr outpointed his compatriot to claim the biggest win of his career in London
A phantom known as Junior came to deliver Father Time's cruel message and a veteran war-horse called Chunky duly paid heed.
The 33-year-old DeGale, having risen twice from the canvas in raging defiance at the fading of the light, carried his shield the brave 12-round distance but then answered the judgement of the scorecards by conceding: 'I'm pretty sure that's it.'
Family and friends will no doubt bring finality to that decision, clearing the path for Eubank as cleanly as that Greenwich sundial divides Earth between East and West.
Son of Chris, having claimed his first victory over one of the ring's elite, can muscle on in search of the major world titles which would define his claim to his father's legacy. It is a prospect well-earned by this irresistible performance.
The world, if not quite yet his oyster, becomes ripe with opportunities for Eubank the Younger. Although the waters of the Thames were somewhat muddied by shifts and eddies among potential opponents.
Following his third career defeat, DeGale admitted that his career is probably now over
In round eight, the victorious Eubank lifted up his opponent before dumping him to the floor
Eubank was initially sceptical about Billy Joe Saunders, citing allegations of 'drugs cheating.'
Now, having accepted it might 'absolutely' be a rematch worth making 'to win a belt,' he learns that Saunders may not be fighting for the WBO super-middleweight title after all if a date with Shefat Isufi goes ahead at Wembley Arena on April 13.
That title was thought to be vacant but the champion, Gilberto Ramirez, has now denied he is moving up to light-heavyweight and announced that he will soon be defending his 12-stone crown in America.
If so that renders a fight with Isufi, who is little known outside his native Serbia, virtually meaningless to Saunders.
