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Fabio Wardley achieved a massive upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in position for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he attacked former world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in jubilation as his training team flooded into the ring to rejoice.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was untimely, 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 provided little protest when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to remonstrate as his man suffered his fourth pro defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I stated all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

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

Turning Point

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

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

Parker risked his ranking as the number one contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident 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 half-hour fight and it only requires one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Advances

It was a top names of the British heavyweight category in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the observers.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley marched to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colours 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 experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this period.

Fight Description

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

As chants 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 end to the first three minutes was decisive from the favourite as Parker powered through with a strong of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

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

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always risky, 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight appeared to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exception to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified that the perfect champion was ready to face the victor 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 no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his rise to this standing has been substantially fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to challenge the best heavyweight of this generation 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 elite level.

He accepted a huge gamble here and his chances of winning back a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.