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Fabio Wardley achieved a massive upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a shot at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he attacked ex world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his support crew piled into the ring to celebrate.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley repeatedly with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little protest when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to remonstrate as his man experienced his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I stated all the way through this lead-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

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

Critical Moment

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

This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most crucial. Usyk now likely awaits early next year.

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

Promoter's Positive 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 needs one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable 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 crest featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He spoke in the build-up how it was extraordinary that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only fighting in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this era.

Fight Description

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning 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' rang around the arena, Parker secured 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 decisive from the expected winner as Parker stormed through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

Parker's control vanished when a right hand from Wardley shook him in the second.

It would be a precursor to what would occur later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate 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 danger.

The fight appeared to be losing steam in the eighth before it erupted back into life and shifted decisively 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 pressured Foster to act.

It may have been quick but Wardley will claim 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 representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this level has been significantly sped up.

But now he is in a place to take on the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He undertook a massive chance here and his opportunities of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.