Bob Arum sticks the knife in after Dillian Whyte is stunned by brutal KO from Alexander Povetkin

Legendary promoter Bob Arum has stuck the knife into Dillian Whyte after his hopes of a world-title shot were destroyed by Alexander Povetkin’s knockout win.

Whyte had his Russian counterpart down twice in the fourth round after impressing in the first three.

But just as it appeared he would close in on a shot at the WBC world heavyweight title, Povetkin produced a devastating uppercut in the fifth.

Whyte was left needing immediate medical treatment, and while Eddie Hearn stated he will get a rematch, Arum did not hesitate to taunt the ‘Bodysnatcher’.

‘Dillian Whyte was so busy fighting for his WBC mandatory position that he didn’t see Povetkin’s uppercut, which knocked him cold on his ass,’ he wrote on Twitter.

Veteran promoter Arum also had a warning for Anthony Joshua following Povetkin’s stunning victory at Matchroom Boxing’s headquarters.

The IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight champion was in attendance to see Whyte’s defeat and Arum took a swipe at him, adding: ‘[Kubrat] Pulev will KO Joshua next. London Bridges are falling.’

Arum is also Tyson Fury’s promoter, but the Gypsy King tweeted his own praise for Povetkin, who has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko and Joshua in a 39-fight and 15-year-long career.

Fury tweeted: ’40 & proud’ and added a thumbs up emoji to congratulate the Russian.

But Whyte clearly has work to do in the rematch having believed it was curtains for Povetkin not much earlier.

‘I can’t quite believe it,’ said his promoter Hearn. 

‘When the punch landed I felt like I was in some dream. The fight was over virtually. Dillian was measuring Povetkin up, then two heavy knockdowns.

‘I and others thought it was over. This is the drama of heavyweight boxing, one punch can change everything.

‘He has to do a job in a rematch.’