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Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he secured a remarkable comeback victory by halting the experienced New Zealander in the eleventh round of an exciting and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he overwhelmed previous 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 dropped to the floor in triumph as his training team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little objection when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to protest as his man endured his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

"I said all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I believe 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 esteem from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

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

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

Parker gambled his ranking as the top contender for Usyk's crown by accepting this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

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

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Advances

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 onlookers.

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

Wardley marched to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the preparation how it was amazing that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only participating in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the same stage as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

As shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker gained control with a stiff 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 strong of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control evaporated 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 shaky on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing the better shots through the middle 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 looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to postpone his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the unbeaten champion was set to face the winner of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this standing has been significantly fast tracked.

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

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He accepted a huge gamble here and his chances of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.