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Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in line for a chance at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the primary competitor for the Ukrainian after he claimed a remarkable comeback victory by halting the veteran New Zealander in the eleventh round of an thrilling and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in celebration as his training team flooded into the ring to celebrate.

They were excellent scenes as the former white-collar boxer maintained his remarkable rise in the boxing world.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and damaged Wardley repeatedly with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I stated all the way through this lead-up that we selected Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I demonstrated I'm at the top," stated Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he earns all the respect from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and ultimately 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 favour of the longshot.

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

Parker gambled his ranking as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by accepting this fight, falling to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk declared 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 Incredible Journey Continues

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight category 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 walked to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's emblem featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

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

As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang 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 conclusion to the first three minutes was forceful from the expected winner as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger to what would follow later in the fight. It was a excellent shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his.

The experience of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was landing the better shots through the central rounds.

Last Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

The fight appeared to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and swung decisively back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He ensured his remarkable story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which forced Foster to intervene.

It may have been early but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 arrived from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this standing has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a situation to challenge the best heavyweight of this era which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

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

He accepted a massive risk here and his prospects of regaining a share of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.