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Fabio Wardley secured a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, claimed 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.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his training team piled into the ring to rejoice.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

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

Decisive Round

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout firmly back in benefit of the underdog.

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

Parker risked his position as the number one contender for Usyk's title by accepting this fight, falling to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told DAZN: "Usyk stated 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 Extraordinary Journey Progresses

It was a top names 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 marched to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the same stage as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favorite as Parker stormed through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

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

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate 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 risk.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He made sure his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which compelled Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

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

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

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

But now he is in a situation to face the top heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like 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 participating at the elite level.

He accepted a significant risk here and his chances of winning back a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.