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Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to wreck Joseph Parker's hopes of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he overwhelmed former world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly 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 flooded into the ring to celebrate.

They were magnificent scenes as the ex white-collar boxer maintained his extraordinary rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

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

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

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

Decisive Round

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout firmly back in favour of the underdog.

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

Parker risked his position as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by accepting this fight, falling to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk declared 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 Remarkable Journey Progresses

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight division in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the observers.

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

Wardley marched to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He remarked in the build-up how it was amazing 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 same stage as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker gained control with a ramrod 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 favourite as Parker powered through with a strong of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared when a right hand from Wardley rocked him in the second.

It would be a forerunner to what would happen 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 critical here. Wardley was always risky, 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight appeared to be fizzling out in the eighth before it burst back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to postpone his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

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

But now he is in a situation to face the top heavyweight of this era which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a huge gamble here and his prospects of reclaiming a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.