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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in triumph as his training team flooded into the ring to celebrate.

They were superb scenes as the previous white-collar boxer extended his remarkable rise in the boxing world.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was premature, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley numerous times with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little objection when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to object as his man experienced his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he merits all the respect from the boxing world. 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 finally we got them out of there."

Turning Point

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

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

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

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a top names 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 walked to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

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 caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The finish to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favourite as Parker powered through with a powerful of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner to what would occur later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and raised 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 crucial here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle rounds.

Final 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 appeared to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted 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 barrage of shots which pressured Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exception to postpone his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was ready to face the victor of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his climb to this level has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a position to take on the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a dramatic 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 highest level.

He accepted a significant gamble here and his chances of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.