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Fabio Wardley secured a massive upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of earning a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the primary challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the eleventh round of an thrilling and tough 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 previous world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

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

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

Controversial Stoppage

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

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little argument when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to protest as his man endured his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the respect from the boxing community. He took 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."

Critical Moment

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

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

Parker endangered his standing as the top contender for Usyk's championship by accepting this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Confident 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 requires one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight scene 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 walked to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

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

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

The conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker powered through with a rocket 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 harbinger to what would occur later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was landing the better shots through the central 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 danger.

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

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

It may have been quick but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect 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 professional fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this level has been significantly sped up.

But now he is in a situation to face the top heavyweight of this period which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to carefully think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been fighting at the top level.

He undertook a massive risk here and his prospects of winning back a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.