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Fabio Wardley pulled off a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in contention for a opportunity at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the number one competitor for the Ukrainian after he secured a impressive comeback victory by ending the experienced New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

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

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little protest when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to protest as his man endured his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he merits all the respect from the boxing world. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout clearly back in benefit of the outsider.

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

Parker risked his standing as the top contender for Usyk's title by accepting this fight, dropping 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 takes one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Progresses

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 spectators.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley marched to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He commented in the build-up how it was amazing that when Parker was securing the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing 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 top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Analysis

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

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

The end to the first three minutes was forceful from the favourite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a precursor 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 expertise of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the central rounds.

Last 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 danger.

The fight appeared to be waning in the eighth before it exploded back into life and swung decisively back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He guaranteed his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he attacked Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which forced Foster to intervene.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the winner of this bout.

Warren will now look to make 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 emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his rise to this standing has been substantially sped up.

But now he is in a position to take on the top heavyweight of this generation which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He accepted a massive risk here and his opportunities of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.