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Fabio Wardley achieved a major upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in line for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in triumph as his corner team rushed into the ring to celebrate.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the intervention was early, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I said 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," said Wardley.

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the esteem from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout clearly back in favour of the underdog.

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

Parker gambled his position as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, declining to his fourth professional 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 needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight scene 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 hues with the football club's emblem featured on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He spoke in the build-up how it was amazing 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 decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

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

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

The conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive from the favorite as Parker stormed through with a powerful of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate 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 danger.

The fight appeared to be fizzling out in the eighth before it burst back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He guaranteed his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which forced Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

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

But now he is in a position to take on the top 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 competing at the highest level.

He accepted a significant chance here and his opportunities of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.