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Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the eleventh round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

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

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was early, especially given Parker had commanded for significant portions of the fight and hurt Wardley repeatedly with right hands.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I said all the way through this preparation that we selected Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he deserves all the respect from the boxing world. 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."

Critical Moment

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout firmly back in favour of the outsider.

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

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

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk stated 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 Progresses

It was a top names 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 dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He commented in the lead-up how it was remarkable 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 greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was forceful 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 rocked him in the second.

It would be a precursor to what would happen later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and brought 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 critical here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was landing the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Last 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 appeared to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He made sure 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 intervene.

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 defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 raw and his rise to this level has been substantially fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to take on the top heavyweight of this period which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He undertook a significant risk here and his chances of reclaiming a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.