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Fabio Wardley achieved a massive upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

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

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

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his support crew rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley numerous times with right hands.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I stated all the way through this build-up that we chose Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I proved I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he deserves all the admiration 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."

Decisive Round

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout decisively back in favour of the longshot.

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

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

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed 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 Remarkable Journey Continues

It was a who's who 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 dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's crest featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the lead-up how it was amazing 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 same stage as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this period.

Fight Analysis

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 chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker established control with a ramrod of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The end to the first three minutes was emphatic from the expected winner as Parker stormed through with a strong of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

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

The expertise of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle 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 threat.

The fight seemed to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was prepared to face the victor 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 no amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this standing has been substantially accelerated.

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

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

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