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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of earning a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he attacked previous world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his support crew piled into the ring to mark the victory.

They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer continued his remarkable rise in the pro circuit.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and injured Wardley repeatedly with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little objection when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to object as his man endured his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I stated all the way through this lead-up that we chose Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

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

Turning Point

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout clearly back in benefit of the outsider.

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

Parker risked his standing as the number one contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

It was a top names of the British heavyweight scene 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 marched to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He remarked in the lead-up how it was amazing that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning 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' echoed around the arena, Parker secured control with a powerful 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 favorite as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Thrilling 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 happen later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and raised 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 middle 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 risk.

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

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

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 dispensation to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the victor 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 come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this level has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a position to challenge the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He took a significant chance here and his prospects of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.