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Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he secured a remarkable comeback victory by ending the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, claimed the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he overwhelmed ex world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his support crew piled into the ring to mark the victory.

They were excellent scenes as the former white-collar boxer maintained his extraordinary rise in the professional ranks.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I said all the way through this lead-up that we chose 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 admiration and he merits all the esteem from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select 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 turned the bout decisively back in support of the underdog.

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

Parker endangered his position as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, declining to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Progresses

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 observers.

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 crest featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He remarked in the build-up how it was amazing that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only participating in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the same stage as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Breakdown

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' resounded 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 decisive from the favourite as Parker stormed through with a rocket of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control disappeared 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 raised 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 critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the middle 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 looked to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and swung clearly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He made sure his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which forced 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 sought a medical exemption to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was prepared to face the successful fighter 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 no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his rise to this position has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a place to challenge the best heavyweight of this era which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

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

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