Great Britain's Wardley Stops Parker in Significant Heavyweight Surprise

Fabio Wardley pulled off a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in line for a chance at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

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

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

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native raised the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his training team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

They were superb scenes as the ex white-collar boxer maintained his outstanding rise in the pro circuit.

Questioned Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley numerous times with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little argument when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to remonstrate as his man suffered his fourth pro 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 proved I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough admiration and he merits all the admiration 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."

Decisive Round

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

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

Parker risked his standing as the top contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, falling to his fourth career 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 thirty-six minute fight and it only requires one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Progresses

It was a elite group 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 proceeded to the ring decked out in Ipswich Town colours with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

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

Fight Analysis

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

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

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

Dramatic Momentum Shift

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

It would be a forerunner to what would happen later in the fight. It was a perfect shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable 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 connecting 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

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

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

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

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exemption to postpone his mandatory 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 successful fighter of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his rise to this level has been significantly sped up.

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

Parker's Future Considerations

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

He took a massive chance here and his prospects of winning back a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.