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Fabio Wardley achieved a major upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a impressive comeback victory by ending the experienced New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he swarmed former world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his corner team piled into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had commanded for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

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

Wardley's After-Match 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 proved I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

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

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker endangered his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's championship by taking this fight, declining to his fourth career 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 36-minute fight and it only takes one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

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 onlookers.

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

Wardley walked to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the same stage as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker established control with a ramrod of a jab that soon produced 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 charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

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

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

Final 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 looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical dispensation to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was set to face the victor of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just twenty-one career fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this level has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to face the best heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like 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 top level.

He accepted a massive chance here and his prospects of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.