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

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he claimed a remarkable comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in triumph as his support crew piled into the ring to celebrate.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had dominated for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I declared all the way through this build-up that we selected Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I demonstrated 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 took a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker gambled his standing as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk stated 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 Incredible Journey Progresses

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight category 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 walked to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He commented in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

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

Fight Description

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker established control with a ramrod of a jab that soon brought 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 charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

The fight seemed to be waning in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted decisively back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He guaranteed his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which compelled Foster to intervene.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation 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 prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this standing has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a place to challenge the finest heavyweight of this era which is a cinematic 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 fighting at the top level.

He took a huge chance here and his prospects of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.