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Fabio Wardley secured a massive upset to shatter Joseph Parker's aspirations of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary challenger for the Ukrainian after he claimed a stunning comeback victory by ending the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an exciting and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he overwhelmed previous world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a straight uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

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

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

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

Critical Moment

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

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

Parker risked his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk said 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 Extraordinary Journey Progresses

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 observers.

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

Wardley proceeded to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's crest displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a red-hot run coming into this bout of six victories including victories 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 brought blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The finish to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker stormed through with a rocket of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

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

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He made sure his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to act.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exception to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified that the unbeaten champion was set to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

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

But now he is in a position to face the best heavyweight of this generation which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He accepted a huge chance here and his opportunities of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.