ZACH PARKER’S hopes of fighting his way back to light-heavyweight contention came to a screeching halt via a sickening body shot at the hands of Umar Dzambekov.

The Derby-born scrapper was trading with the Russian-born-Austrian-fighter in the fourth round when his foe stepped in with a nasty uppercut to the body and left the 32-year-old down for the count.

Any time a fighter is stopped by a body shot, you know it’s hit the sweet spot and hit it hard.

Parker was hoping to bounce back after suffering a majority decision loss to compatriot Joshua Buatsi almost exactly a year ago.

But he could not withstand the power of Dzambekov and fight fans have been left in awe at the way in which Parker was finished.

One fan wrote on X: “OMG! Dzambekov almost punched a hole through him!”

A second commented: “This guy is a serious problem. Good lord that’s nasty.”

A third wrote: “Folded him like a deckchair didn’t he!”

Dzambekov was always a tough prospect for Parker.

He is now 15-0 in his career and has 11 knockouts to his name.

In fact, back in February of this year, he delivered a KO of the year contender when he flattened Ahmed Elbiali.

The WBA has him ranked 11th in the race for a light-heavyweight title shot, but he will undoubtedly shoot up in their estimation after tonight’s display.

It seems a matter of time before the Russian-born wrecking ball closes in on a date with his compatriot Dmitry Bivol.