Sebastian Fundora successfully defended his WBC super welterweight championship on Saturday night, securing a dramatic knockout victory over challenger Ermal Hadribeaj at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. The bout, which headlined a Premier Boxing Champions card, ended in the final seconds of the 12th round.
The 6-foot-6 champion, known as "The Towering Inferno," dominated much of the contest with his reach and consistent inside-boxing. Fundora’s persistent bodywork and volume punching gradually wore down the previously undefeated Albanian challenger as the fight progressed toward the final bell.
The conclusion of the bout was marked by controversy, as the fight-ending sequence occurred in the dying moments of the final round. Fundora landed a series of short-range hooks and a final straight left hand that sent Hadribeaj to the canvas just as the clock expired.
Referee Thomas Taylor waved off the contest, ruling it a knockout victory for Fundora. However, replays suggested the final bell had sounded before the decisive blow landed, leading to scrutiny regarding the timing of the stoppage and the referee's final decision.
Hadribeaj, who entered the ring with a 23-1-1 record, struggled to maintain his composure against Fundora’s relentless pace. Despite showing resilience throughout the 12 rounds, the challenger appeared exhausted and was unable to recover from the final knockdown before the count was completed.
Following the victory, Fundora expressed satisfaction with his performance and his ability to work effectively on the inside. The 28-year-old champion acknowledged that he would return to the gym to address tactical mistakes made during the high-activity contest.
"I liked knocking him out in the last second," Fundora stated post-fight. "I had to fight on the inside and show everybody again I can. We'll go back to the gym and work on some things. There were a lot of mistakes I did."
Looking toward the future, Fundora confirmed his ambition to unify the division. He expressed a desire to face the winner of a potential matchup between unified champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis and IBF titleholder Josh Kelly, aiming to become the undisputed champion.
"We're on the fourth defense. We want undisputed," Fundora added. His victory moves his professional record to 25-1-1, with 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout, reinforcing his position as a major force in the 154-pound weight class.
The event at the Chelsea Ballroom featured several other notable results. In the super middleweight division, prospect Marco Romero continued his rise with a swift first-round knockout victory over Braulio Matias Ferreira, marking his third consecutive opening-round stoppage.
Armando Reséndiz secured a unanimous decision victory over Koen Mazoudier, with judges scoring the contest 98-92 and 97-93 twice. The card also saw Jaime Enrique Osuna Diaz win a majority decision against Cristian Cangelosi, while David Garcia stopped Angel Carrillo in the second round.
The evening was impacted by the earlier cancellation of the co-main event between Brandon Figueroa and Tomoki Kameda. Figueroa was stripped of his WBA featherweight title after failing to make the required weight limit during Friday's weigh-in session.
The card was broadcast live on TNT and DAZN, drawing attention to a busy weekend of international boxing. Despite the administrative issues surrounding the co-main event, the main event provided a high-stakes conclusion for the Las Vegas crowd.
Fundora’s victory maintains his status as a marquee attraction in the super welterweight division. His ability to utilize his unique physical frame while remaining comfortable in close-quarters exchanges remains a central component of his tactical approach.
The WBC champion’s focus now shifts to potential unification bouts in 2027. With the division currently featuring several high-profile titleholders, the path to an undisputed crown remains the primary objective for the American fighter.
Hadribeaj, despite the controversial nature of the stoppage, demonstrated significant grit in his first major title challenge. The Albanian fighter’s ability to withstand Fundora's pressure for the majority of the fight highlighted his durability at the championship level.
The officiating in the final round is expected to remain a topic of discussion among boxing analysts. While the result stands, the timing of the final blow relative to the bell adds a layer of complexity to the conclusion of the 12-round affair.
As the boxing calendar moves forward, the focus will likely remain on the potential matchups between the division's top-ranked fighters. Fundora’s win keeps him firmly in the conversation for the most significant fights in the sport’s current landscape.
The atmosphere at The Cosmopolitan remained intense throughout the night, with the crowd witnessing a mix of technical boxing and explosive finishes. The card served as a reminder of the volatility and unpredictability inherent in professional championship boxing.
With this latest defense, Fundora continues to build his legacy in the sport. His stated goal of achieving undisputed status sets the stage for a highly anticipated series of negotiations and potential bouts in the coming months.
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