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Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in contention for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

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

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

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his corner team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an discussion that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had commanded for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with straight rights.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I declared 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 credit to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he merits all the admiration from the boxing world. He took 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-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout firmly back in support of the underdog.

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

Parker risked his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told 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 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 onlookers.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley walked to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He remarked in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was securing 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 decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Breakdown

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker secured 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 forceful from the favorite as Parker charged through with a rocket of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

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

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to delay his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this standing has been substantially fast tracked.

But now he is in a place to face the finest heavyweight of this period which is a Hollywood-like 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 top level.

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