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Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in contention for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and bruising 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 attacked former world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a straight uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

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

They were magnificent scenes as the former white-collar boxer continued his remarkable rise in the pro circuit.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I stated all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized 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-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout decisively back in support of the outsider.

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

Parker endangered his standing as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told 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 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 proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He remarked in the lead-up how it was remarkable 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 same stage as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning 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' rang around the arena, Parker gained control with a powerful of a jab that soon brought blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

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

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a precursor 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 expertise of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the central 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 threat.

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

He made sure his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to act.

It may have been early but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was set 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 arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this standing has been substantially sped up.

But now he is in a situation to face the finest heavyweight of this era which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He undertook a significant chance here and his opportunities of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.