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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by ending the experienced New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his corner team flooded into the ring to rejoice.

They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer maintained his remarkable rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley numerous times with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the esteem from the boxing community. 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 ultimately we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout decisively back in favour of the longshot.

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

Parker gambled his position as the number one contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk declared 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 Incredible Journey Continues

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight division 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 adorned in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's badge featured 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 equivalent level as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was forceful from the expected winner as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the central 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 danger.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to delay his mandatory 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 successful fighter of this bout.

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

Rapid 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 unpolished and his climb to this standing has been substantially sped up.

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

Parker's Future Options

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

He took a massive gamble here and his prospects of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.