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Fabio Wardley secured a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by halting the experienced New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he swarmed ex world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and collapsed 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 extended his extraordinary rise in the boxing world.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I stated all the way through this build-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I demonstrated I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he merits all the respect from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood 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 swung the bout decisively back in benefit of the outsider.

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

Parker endangered his standing as the top contender for Usyk's championship by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth professional 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 thirty-six minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Advances

It was a who's who 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 walked to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's badge displayed on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the lead-up how it was remarkable 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 equivalent level as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

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

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

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control evaporated when a right hand from Wardley rocked him in the second.

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

The knowledge of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Final Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight seemed to be waning in the eighth before it exploded back into life and swung clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He guaranteed his amazing 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 claim that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical dispensation to delay his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated 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 21 professional fights on the back of without amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this position has been substantially accelerated.

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

Parker's Future Options

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

He undertook a significant gamble here and his opportunities of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.