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Fabio Wardley secured a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in position for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Powerful Celebration

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

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little protest when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to remonstrate as his man endured his fourth pro defeat.

Wardley's Post-Fight 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 praise to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the esteem from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

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

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

Parker endangered his standing as the top contender for Usyk's championship by undertaking this fight, declining to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Positive 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 half-hour fight and it only takes one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

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 decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He spoke in the lead-up how it was extraordinary 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 experienced Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this period.

Fight Breakdown

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a successful 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' echoed around the arena, Parker established control with a powerful of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

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

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared when a right hand from Wardley shook him in the second.

It would be a harbinger 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 unstable on his.

The expertise of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting 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 risk.

The fight seemed to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He ensured his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which pressured Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified 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 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his climb to this level has been significantly sped up.

But now he is in a situation to take on the best heavyweight of this era which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a huge gamble here and his prospects of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.