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Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in celebration as his training team rushed into the ring to celebrate.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an argument that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley repeatedly with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I said all the way through this build-up that we chose Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I proved I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he deserves all the admiration 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 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 firmly back in favour of the outsider.

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

Parker endangered his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk stated 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 Incredible Journey Continues

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight division 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 colours with the football club's badge emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the identical platform 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 victories over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

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

The conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive from the favorite as Parker stormed through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a precursor to what would occur later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Final 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 risk.

The fight appeared to be waning in the eighth before it erupted back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exemption to delay his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared 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 pro 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 significantly sped up.

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

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He undertook a significant risk here and his prospects of winning back a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.