GB's Wardley Stops Parker in Significant Heavyweight Shock

Fabio Wardley achieved a massive 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 challenger for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by ending the experienced New Zealander in the eleventh round of an exciting and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he swarmed former 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 collapsed to the floor in celebration as his support crew rushed into the ring to rejoice.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an argument that the halt was premature, especially given Parker had dominated for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley numerous times with right hands.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he merits all the admiration from the boxing fraternity. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew 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 uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout firmly back in favour of the outsider.

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

Parker gambled his ranking as the top contender for Usyk's championship by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

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

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

It was a top names 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 marched to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Impressive Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a red-hot 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 secured control with a powerful 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 favourite as Parker stormed through with a strong of a right hand.

Thrilling Momentum Shift

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

It would be a harbinger to what would occur 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 expertise of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was connecting 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 danger.

The fight appeared to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favour 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 premature but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to postpone his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently verified that the perfect champion was ready to face the winner of this bout.

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

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his climb to this position has been significantly accelerated.

But now he is in a position to take on the top heavyweight of this period which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Options

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

He accepted a huge chance here and his chances of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.