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Fabio Wardley achieved a massive upset to destroy Joseph Parker's dreams of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the number one competitor for the Ukrainian after he claimed a remarkable comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he swarmed ex 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 celebration as his corner team piled into the ring to rejoice.

They were superb scenes as the ex white-collar boxer extended his remarkable rise in the professional ranks.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and finally we got them out of there."

Turning Point

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

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

Parker endangered his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional 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 half-hour fight and it only takes one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Advances

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 onlookers.

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

Wardley walked to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem featured on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He spoke in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was securing 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 determine the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' resounded around the arena, Parker established 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 decisive from the favorite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner to what would happen later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked shaky on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle rounds.

Closing Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight looked to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exemption to postpone his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently verified that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the victor 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 without amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this position has been considerably accelerated.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He accepted a massive risk here and his opportunities of reclaiming a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.