Watch Povetkin’s knockout punch on Dillian Whyte that ended 1,000-day dream of heavyweight glory and silenced Fight Camp

HERE is the punch that shattered Dillion Whyte’s 1,000-day dream of being world heavyweight champion.

It took barely 15 minutes for the Body Snatcher’s hopes to lay in tatters thanks to Alexander Povetkin’s perfect fifth-round upper cut.

The left was known as the Russian’s most powerful but the upper cut met Whyte’s head with such power it knocked him into a different stratosphere.

Alexander Povetkin prepares to land the punch which floored Dillion Whyte – and possibly the Londoner’s career

It left Brixton’s finest on the canvas and made the much-talked about fight camp Whyte had put himself through looking more like a wet weekend at Pontin’s.

Whyte had hoped for a ‘Battle of Britain’ with Anthony Joshua but that looks like a mission impossible now.

But AJ, who suffered his own shock defeat against roly-poly Mexican Andy Rujiz Jr in 2019, had kind words for his beaten old foe afterwards.

He told BBC 5 Live: “I believe Dillian is a great fighter – it’s just a short blip in his career.”

Dillion Whyte is left on the canvas by the stunning fifth-round upper cut from Russian Alexaxder Povetkin

Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed there is a clause to set up a rematch with the Russian – and Whyte had demanded it straight after.

And he was quick to acknowledge that boxing, unlike so many other sports, is so different as one punch can change absolutely everything as Povetkin becomes the WBC interim silver champion and mandatory challenger to Tyson Fury.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “There is a rematch clause. The first thing Dillion said to me was, ‘get me that rematch, get me that rematch’.

“It was a heavy knockdown so he will have to get his rest. Povetkin is mandatory now so he won’t be called.

“But this is the drama of the sport we love and heavyweight boxing – one punch completely changed the fight.”

That means Whyte can avenge this defeat in December potentially.

But for now though it gives the 40-year-old Russian the chance to become a major player in the fight world.

He will no doubt try to take on the likes of Tyson Fury, Joshua and Deontay Wilder over the next two years.

Fight fans were quick to slam Whyte, who faces huge questions over his ability to take a big punch.

Tegsy said: ” Whyte got owned in his own backyard,not so cocky now!”

And Tom Rycroft posted: “Whyte knocked into a new dimension…”

Neil Wright wrote: “Knocked him into the bank holiday weekend.”

Renowned boxing coach Dominic Ingle had words of sympathy for Whyte.

He posted: “Sickening for “DillionWhyte tonight he has come through so much adversity in his career only for this to happen.

“Criminal the way he was treated as mandatory challenger for the World Title all this time.

And boxer Anthony Yarde said: “@DillionWhyte keep your head up bro. Look how much you have achieved and will continue to achieve.”

Titus Crow said: “Lol I just tweeted about a good win against a diminished Povetkin sent..the. Boom! rip the bodysnatcher.”

Hearn had taken to the stage pre-fight to give a karaoke blast of Bill Withers’ classic ‘Ain’t no sunshine.”

It could have been an epitaph on 32-year-old Whyte’s boxing career.

Hearn said afterwards it felt “like a dream” when the KO landed.

But he will now start planning for Whyte’s rematch in December.