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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a opportunity at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the number one competitor for the Ukrainian after he earned a impressive comeback victory by ending the seasoned New Zealander in the eleventh round of an entertaining and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his training team piled into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an argument that the stoppage was premature, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I declared all the way through this preparation that we chose Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the admiration from the boxing fraternity. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Turning Point

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

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

Parker risked his position as the number one contender for Usyk's title by undertaking this fight, dropping 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 36-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 spectators.

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

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

Impressive Career Progression

He commented in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was claiming 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 establish the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this period.

Fight Description

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

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

The conclusion to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favourite as Parker powered through with a rocket of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared 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 excellent shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing 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 threat.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He guaranteed his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which forced Foster to act.

It may have been early but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exemption to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified that the undefeated champion was set 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 21 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his rise to this level has been substantially fast tracked.

But now he is in a position to take on the finest heavyweight of this era which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He undertook a massive chance here and his chances of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.