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Fabio Wardley achieved a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in position for a shot at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Remarkable Comeback Victory

The English fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by stopping the experienced New Zealander in the 11th round of an thrilling and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in jubilation as his support crew flooded into the ring to mark the victory.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an debate that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little objection when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to protest as his man experienced his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I said all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I demonstrated I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he deserves all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick 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 firmly back in support of the outsider.

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

Parker risked his ranking as the top contender for Usyk's title by taking this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a half-hour fight and it only takes 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 observers.

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

Wardley walked to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge displayed on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

He remarked in the lead-up how it was amazing that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the same stage as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

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

As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' resounded around the arena, Parker secured 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 favorite as Parker stormed through with a rocket 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 raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing 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 particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight seemed to be fizzling out in the eighth before it exploded back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

He ensured his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which compelled Foster to step in.

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical dispensation to defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 raw and his rise to this position has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a position to challenge the top heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like 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 elite level.

He accepted a significant chance here and his chances of winning back a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.