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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's dreams of securing a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in contention for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a impressive comeback victory by stopping the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an entertaining and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he attacked former world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his support crew flooded into the ring to rejoice.

They were excellent scenes as the ex white-collar boxer continued his remarkable rise in the professional ranks.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was early, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little argument when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to remonstrate as his man suffered his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I declared all the way through this build-up that we chose 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 esteem and he earns all the esteem 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 select our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

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

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

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

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

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a elite group of the British heavyweight division in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the observers.

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 featured on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He remarked in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only fighting in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine 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 victories including wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

As shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed 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 conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive 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 forerunner 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 experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate rounds.

Closing 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 threat.

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

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exemption to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the unbeaten 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 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his rise to this level has been considerably sped up.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to thoughtfully think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been competing at the elite level.

He undertook a significant chance here and his prospects of reclaiming a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.