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Fabio Wardley secured a massive upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a shot at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled 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 celebration as his support crew flooded into the ring to mark the victory.

They were excellent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer maintained his outstanding rise in the pro circuit.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the respect from the boxing world. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose 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 swung the bout firmly back in favour of the longshot.

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

Parker endangered his standing as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, falling to his fourth pro 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 requires one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Advances

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight scene 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 decked out in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Notable 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 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 greatest heavyweight of this period.

Fight Description

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was forceful from the favourite as Parker stormed through with a strong of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared 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 beautiful shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate 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 risk.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it erupted 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 overwhelmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which forced Foster to intervene.

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 dispensation to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was ready to face the winner of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

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

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

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a massive chance here and his chances of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.