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Fabio Wardley pulled off a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a shot at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by stopping the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he attacked ex 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 dropped to the floor in jubilation as his training team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

They were excellent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer maintained his remarkable rise in the professional ranks.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was early, especially given Parker had commanded for significant portions of the fight and hurt Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little argument when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to object as his man experienced his fourth pro defeat.

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

"All praise 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 knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout decisively back in support of the outsider.

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

Parker risked his standing as the primary contender for Usyk's title by accepting this fight, falling 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 takes one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight category 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 dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's badge displayed on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the lead-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 identical platform as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Analysis

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker established control with a powerful of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The end to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker charged 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 harbinger to what would occur later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The expertise of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting 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 appeared to be losing steam in the eighth before it burst back into life and swung decisively back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He made sure his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which pressured Foster to intervene.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the unbeaten champion was ready to face the winner 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 no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his rise to this position has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a position to challenge the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

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