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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in line for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top contender for the Ukrainian after he claimed a impressive comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Powerful Celebration

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

They were magnificent scenes as the ex white-collar boxer extended his outstanding rise in the pro circuit.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the intervention was early, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley numerous times with straight rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the respect from the boxing world. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and finally we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout decisively back in support of the longshot.

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

Parker risked his ranking as the top contender for Usyk's championship by accepting this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Extraordinary 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 onlookers.

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 emblem featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

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

Fight Description

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a successful 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' rang around the arena, Parker established control with a ramrod of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The conclusion to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favourite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

Parker's control evaporated when a right hand from Wardley stunned him in the second.

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

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

Last 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 danger.

The fight looked to be waning in the eighth before it erupted back into life and turned clearly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exception to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently verified that the undefeated champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this level has been significantly accelerated.

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

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He accepted a significant gamble here and his prospects of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.