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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in contention for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the eleventh round of an entertaining and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he swarmed former world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right uppercut.

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in triumph as his corner team piled into the ring to celebrate.

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

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was early, especially given Parker had dominated for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little objection when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to object as his man experienced his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I stated all the way through this preparation that we chose Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I demonstrated I'm at the top," said Wardley.

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he merits all the respect from the boxing community. 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 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 benefit of the underdog.

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

Parker gambled his standing as the top contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, declining to his fourth professional defeat.

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

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

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 proceeded to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the experienced Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this era.

Fight Analysis

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

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

The finish to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favorite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Exciting 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 excellent shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his fortieth pro 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 notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He guaranteed 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 act.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout.

Warren will now look to make 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 come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this position has been significantly fast tracked.

But now he is in a place to face the finest heavyweight of this era which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He accepted a significant risk here and his prospects of winning back a share of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.