GB's Wardley Stops Parker in Major Heavyweight Surprise

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

Impressive Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he earned a stunning comeback victory by stopping the experienced New Zealander in the eleventh round of an thrilling and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Powerful Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his support crew piled into the ring to rejoice.

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

Controversial Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for extended periods of the fight and injured Wardley repeatedly with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little objection when Foster stepped in and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to object as his man endured his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's Post-Fight Comments

"I stated all the way through this build-up 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 deserves all the respect from the boxing community. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to choose our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker endangered his standing as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, falling to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a thirty-six minute fight and it only needs one second from him."

Wardley's Extraordinary Journey Advances

It was a top names of the British heavyweight scene in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the onlookers.

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

Wardley walked to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's crest emblazoned on his kit.

Notable Career Progression

He commented in the build-up how it was extraordinary 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 equivalent level as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Description

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

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

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

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner to what would occur 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 knowledge of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always threatening, 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 notable feature, 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 swung decisively back in Wardley's benefit in the 10th.

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

It may have been premature but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking significant punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical exemption to defer his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the undefeated champion was set to face the winner of this bout.

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

Quick 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 raw and his ascent to this level has been substantially accelerated.

But now he is in a place to face the top heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

Parker will now have to carefully evaluate his next step, given his age and how long he has been competing at the top level.

He accepted a massive risk here and his chances of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.