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Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to shatter Joseph Parker's aspirations of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in line for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he claimed a impressive comeback victory by ending the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in celebration as his training team flooded into the ring to mark the victory.

They were superb scenes as the ex white-collar boxer continued his remarkable rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the esteem from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized 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 support of the underdog.

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

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

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed 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 needs 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 marched to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's badge emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He remarked in the lead-up 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 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 red-hot run coming into this bout of six victories including successes over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

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

The finish to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

Parker's control vanished when a right hand from Wardley stunned him in the second.

It would be a precursor to what would occur 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 vital here. Wardley was always dangerous, 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned firmly 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 volley of shots which forced Foster to act.

It may have been quick but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exemption to postpone his compulsory 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 winner of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his rise to this standing has been substantially fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to challenge the best heavyweight of this period which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a massive gamble here and his chances of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.