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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in line for a shot at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

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

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little objection when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to object as his man suffered 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 believe I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," said Wardley.

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

Critical Moment

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout clearly back in favour of the longshot.

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

Parker gambled his position as the number one contender for Usyk's championship by accepting this fight, dropping to his fourth career 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 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a top names of the British heavyweight division 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 proceeded to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the same stage as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the best 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 successes over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

As shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker secured control with a stiff 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 charged through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger to what would happen later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and raised 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 critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Closing 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 appeared to be waning in the eighth before it exploded back into life and swung decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exemption to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was set to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his rise to this standing has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a situation to face the best heavyweight of this period which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He undertook a significant gamble here and his prospects of reclaiming a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.