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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a opportunity at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he claimed a impressive comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the eleventh round of an entertaining and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in jubilation as his corner team flooded into the ring to celebrate.

They were excellent scenes as the former white-collar boxer maintained his remarkable rise in the pro circuit.

Debated Stoppage

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

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little objection when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to object as his man endured his fourth pro defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

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

Turning Point

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

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

Parker gambled his standing as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by accepting this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Continues

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

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only participating in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the same stage as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker gained 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 emphatic from the favourite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Dramatic 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 happen later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

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

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exception to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was set to face the victor of this bout.

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

Quick Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this level has been significantly fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to face the top heavyweight of this generation which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He took a huge gamble here and his opportunities of winning back a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.