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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a opportunity at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an exciting and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his corner team rushed into the ring to rejoice.

They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer continued his extraordinary rise in the pro circuit.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an discussion that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had dominated for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I stated all the way through this build-up that we chose 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 respect from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker endangered his standing as the primary contender for Usyk's championship by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight category 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 decked out in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

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 shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker gained control with a powerful of a jab that soon brought blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

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

Exciting 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 happen later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, 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 risk.

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

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

It may have been quick but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical dispensation to postpone his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was ready to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged 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 face the best heavyweight of this period which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a massive chance here and his opportunities of reclaiming a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.