Jason Whateley is the Australian cruiserweight boxing champion.

The Bairnsdale product claimed a statement win in his short professional career, destroying now former champion, Daniel Russell, inside 71 seconds at Wildfighter Rnd 4 on Saturday night at Melbourne’s timber yard.

Whateley dropped Taylor with a huge straight right hand within the opening 15 seconds of the bout before again flooring Russell moments later.

Russell answered the call on each knockdown, however after receiving further heavy blows from Whateley, the referee waved off the contest.

Whateley’s transition into professional fighting has been nothing short of spectacular, finding 2019 with five wins, four of which were headlining Wildfighter cards.

Whateley’s Australian title win now earns him a Commonwealth title shot.

Earlier, rising talent, Max Reeves, battered late replacement, Ed Hughes, the ring side doctor calling the fight after the third round with Reeves having punished Hughes with body shots.

Reeves showed great composure in his second professional fight, being patient before closing the distance to land regularly on Hughes.

IMAGE: Jason Whateley in action at Wildfighter Rnd 3 at Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre in October.