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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary competitor for the Ukrainian after he claimed a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the eleventh round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he swarmed ex 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 fell to the floor in jubilation as his training team flooded into the ring to rejoice.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was early, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he merits all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout clearly back in benefit of the underdog.

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

Parker endangered his ranking as the top contender for Usyk's crown by accepting this fight, declining to his fourth career 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 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight scene in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the onlookers.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley walked to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's crest emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He commented in the lead-up how it was remarkable that when Parker was claiming 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 top 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 wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

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

The finish to the first three minutes was emphatic from the expected winner as Parker stormed through with a strong of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

Parker's control vanished 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 excellent shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the middle 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 danger.

The fight looked to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

It may have been quick but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently verified that the perfect champion was prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

With just twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this level has been significantly accelerated.

But now he is in a position to take on the finest heavyweight of this period which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

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