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Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by ending the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his training team rushed into the ring to rejoice.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an discussion that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley repeatedly with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the respect 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 select our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Turning Point

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout decisively back in support of the underdog.

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

Parker risked his position as the primary contender for Usyk's championship by undertaking this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk said he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a thirty-six minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Advances

It was a elite group 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 dressed in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

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

Fight Description

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

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

The finish to the first three minutes was forceful from the favorite as Parker powered through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger to what would occur later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and got 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 critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He made sure his remarkable 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 argue that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exception to defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this level has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a place to challenge the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a significant risk here and his prospects of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.