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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a opportunity at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

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

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

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in celebration as his corner team flooded into the ring to rejoice.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was early, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and hurt Wardley numerous times with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little objection when Foster stepped in and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to object as his man suffered his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he deserves all the esteem from the boxing community. 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 straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout clearly back in favour of the longshot.

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

Parker risked his position as the top contender for Usyk's championship by accepting this fight, declining to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

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

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

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 spectators.

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

Wardley proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Analysis

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was forceful from the favourite as Parker stormed through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a precursor to what would occur later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and brought 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 vital 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

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

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

It may have been early but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this standing has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to take on the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He took a huge gamble here and his prospects of winning back a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.