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Fabio Wardley achieved a major upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a opportunity at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a impressive comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the eleventh round of an exciting and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured 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-handed uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in triumph as his corner team rushed into the ring to celebrate.

They were magnificent scenes as the former white-collar boxer extended his extraordinary rise in the professional ranks.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had commanded for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little argument when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to remonstrate as his man suffered his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's Victory 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 praise to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the esteem from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick 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 swung the bout decisively back in support of the underdog.

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

Parker endangered his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's title by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth pro 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 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary 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 onlookers.

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

Wardley proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He spoke in the preparation how it was extraordinary 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 best heavyweight of this era.

Fight Description

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

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

The finish to the first three minutes was forceful from the expected winner as Parker charged through with a powerful 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 follow later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Last Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

The fight appeared to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

It may have been early but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the unbeaten 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 twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his ascent to this level has been substantially sped up.

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

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He undertook a significant risk here and his opportunities of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.