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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by halting the experienced New Zealander in the eleventh round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he swarmed previous world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his support crew piled into the ring to rejoice.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an discussion that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and injured Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he deserves all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and ultimately 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 underdog.

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

Parker gambled his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, falling to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Remarkable 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 marched to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

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

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

Fight Breakdown

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' resounded 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 emphatic from the favourite as Parker charged through with a rocket of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger 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 unstable on his.

The experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the central 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 risk.

The fight seemed to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He guaranteed his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he overwhelmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which forced Foster to act.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exemption to postpone his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was set to face the winner of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this level has been substantially sped up.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He accepted a significant risk here and his prospects of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.