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Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in position for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a stunning 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, won the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he overwhelmed previous world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in jubilation as his support crew rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he earns all the esteem from the boxing world. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker gambled his position as the top contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Positive 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 thirty-six minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Continues

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 proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He spoke in the lead-up how it was remarkable that when Parker was claiming 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 establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Description

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

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

The conclusion to the first three minutes was forceful from the favourite as Parker stormed through with a powerful 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 happen 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 experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle rounds.

Last 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 danger.

The fight looked to be losing steam in the eighth before it erupted back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He ensured his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to intervene.

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 dispensation to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was ready to face the victor of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this level has been substantially sped up.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He undertook a significant chance here and his prospects of reclaiming a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.