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Fabio Wardley pulled off a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in contention for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a impressive comeback victory by stopping the experienced New Zealander in the eleventh round of an entertaining and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he overwhelmed previous world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Emotional Celebration

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

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

Controversial Stoppage

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

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

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

Critical Moment

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout clearly back in support of the outsider.

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

Parker gambled his ranking as the number one contender for Usyk's championship by accepting this fight, falling to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

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

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Advances

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight division 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 proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He remarked in the build-up how it was remarkable that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

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

Fight Description

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker secured control with a ramrod of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

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

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle 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 danger.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and swung decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

It may have been quick but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to postpone his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this position has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a position to take on the finest heavyweight of this era which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a massive chance here and his opportunities of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.