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Fabio Wardley secured a major upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a double world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the number one challenger for the Ukrainian after he claimed a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his training team piled into the ring to mark the victory.

They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer maintained his extraordinary rise in the boxing world.

Debated Stoppage

There was an debate that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had controlled for extended periods of the fight and hurt 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 appear to protest as his man suffered his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I said all the way through this build-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the respect from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized 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 uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout decisively 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 ranking as the top contender for Usyk's title by undertaking this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told 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 requires one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Advances

It was a elite group 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 dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge displayed on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He commented in the lead-up how it was amazing 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 experienced Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this era.

Fight Breakdown

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning 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 secured control with a stiff of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The finish 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 stunned him in the second.

It would be a harbinger to what would follow later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and brought 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 vital here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the central rounds.

Closing 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 threat.

The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it burst back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exemption to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated 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 pro fights on the back of without amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this standing has been significantly fast tracked.

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

Parker's Future Options

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

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