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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in contention for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a remarkable comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he swarmed former world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his training team piled into the ring to rejoice.

They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer continued his outstanding rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley numerous times with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little argument when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to object as his man endured his fourth pro defeat.

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

"I said all the way through this build-up that we selected Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he earns all the esteem from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Turning Point

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout decisively back in favour of the longshot.

This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most important. Usyk now potentially awaits early next year.

Parker endangered his position as the primary contender for Usyk's title by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk said he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a half-hour fight and it only takes one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Advances

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight scene in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the spectators.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley walked to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's crest displayed on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the preparation how it was remarkable that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only participating in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this era.

Fight Analysis

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a successful run coming into this bout of six wins including successes over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker established control with a powerful of a jab that soon brought blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The end to the first three minutes was forceful from the favorite as Parker powered through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared when a right hand from Wardley shook him in the second.

It would be a precursor to what would follow later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked shaky on his.

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing the better shots through the central rounds.

Final Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight seemed to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned firmly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He guaranteed his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he overwhelmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to step in.

It may have been early but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the winner of this bout.

Warren will now look to arrange that fight next year for his man.

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his climb to this standing has been substantially sped up.

But now he is in a situation to take on the top heavyweight of this era which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to carefully evaluate his next step, given his age and how long he has been fighting at the elite level.

He undertook a significant risk here and his opportunities of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.