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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a opportunity at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

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

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

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in celebration as his support crew piled into the ring to celebrate.

They were superb scenes as the former white-collar boxer continued his outstanding rise in the professional ranks.

Controversial Stoppage

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

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

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

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

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the esteem from the boxing world. 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."

Critical Moment

It was a right uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout clearly back in benefit of the underdog.

This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most significant. Usyk now possibly awaits early next year.

Parker risked his position as the primary contender for Usyk's title by accepting this fight, falling to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Assured 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 36-minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible 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 observers.

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

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

Impressive Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this era.

Fight Description

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 established control with a ramrod of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The conclusion to the first three minutes was decisive from the favorite as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger to what would happen 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 critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was landing the better shots through the middle rounds.

Closing 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 risk.

The fight appeared to be waning in the eighth before it erupted back into life and turned clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk applied for a medical exception to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the perfect champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of without amateur background having arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his ascent to this level has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a position to challenge the finest heavyweight of this period which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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 undertook a huge risk here and his prospects of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.