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Fabio Wardley secured a massive upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a opportunity at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an entertaining and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his training team piled into the ring to rejoice.

They were superb scenes as the ex white-collar boxer maintained his extraordinary rise in the pro circuit.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an argument that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with straight rights.

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

"I stated all the way through this lead-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I proved I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the respect 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 select our spots and finally we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

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

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

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

Promoter's Positive Outlook

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

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Continues

It was a top names 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 marched 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 build-up how it was remarkable that when Parker was securing the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only participating in white-collar boxing.

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

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 gained 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 forceful from the expected winner as Parker powered through with a powerful of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

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

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always threatening, 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 particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He made sure his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which forced Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical dispensation to defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this standing has been significantly accelerated.

But now he is in a situation to face the best heavyweight of this generation which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He took a significant chance here and his chances of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.