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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's dreams of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the top challenger for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the eleventh round of an entertaining and tough 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 ex world champion Parker, who had been hurt badly in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his training team piled into the ring to celebrate.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an argument that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

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

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I declared 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," said Wardley.

"All recognition 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 understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout firmly back in favour of the outsider.

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

Parker gambled his position as the number one contender for Usyk's title by accepting this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk said 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 Extraordinary Journey Advances

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 spectators.

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

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

Notable Career Progression

He remarked in the build-up how it was extraordinary 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 seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this era.

Fight Breakdown

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker secured control with a powerful of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive from the expected winner as Parker powered through with a strong of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner 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 unstable on his.

The experience of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the intermediate 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 danger.

The fight looked to be waning in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

It may have been quick but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exception to postpone his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified 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.

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 inexperienced and his ascent to this position has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a place to take on the finest heavyweight of this era 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 highest level.

He took a massive gamble here and his opportunities of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.