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Fabio Wardley achieved a major upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he attacked ex world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a straight uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his corner team flooded into the ring to mark the victory.

They were magnificent scenes as the former white-collar boxer maintained his remarkable rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was early, especially given Parker had commanded for extended periods of the fight and hurt Wardley repeatedly with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little objection when Foster stepped in and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to remonstrate as his man suffered his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I declared all the way through this build-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I demonstrated I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the admiration from the boxing world. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout clearly back in support of the underdog.

This was Wardley's 20th pro win and his most significant. Usyk now likely awaits early next year.

Parker risked his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's championship by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told DAZN: "Usyk said he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a thirty-six minute fight and it only requires one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Progresses

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 marched to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the build-up how it was extraordinary that when Parker was securing the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only fighting in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker gained control with a stiff of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The end to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner to what would occur later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Closing Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned clearly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He guaranteed his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which forced Foster to intervene.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical dispensation to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified that the perfect champion was prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this standing has been significantly fast tracked.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to thoughtfully think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been fighting at the top level.

He accepted a massive chance here and his chances of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.