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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in contention for a opportunity at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he claimed a remarkable comeback victory by ending the seasoned New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and tough 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 swarmed ex world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in jubilation as his training team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little protest when Foster stepped in and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to object as his man endured his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the esteem from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick 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 turned the bout clearly back in support of the outsider.

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

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

Promoter's Confident 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 Remarkable Journey Progresses

It was a top names 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 proceeded to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's crest emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He commented in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only fighting in white-collar boxing.

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

Fight Description

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

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

The finish to the first three minutes was forceful from the favorite as Parker powered through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

Parker's control evaporated when a right hand from Wardley stunned him in the second.

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

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting 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 exploded back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's favour 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 compelled Foster to intervene.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently verified that the perfect champion was set to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast 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 raw and his climb to this standing has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a place to face the finest heavyweight of this period which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a huge risk here and his opportunities of winning back a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.