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.

Brandon Figueroa failed to meet the required 126-pound championship limit during Friday's weigh-in session. The American boxer tipped the scales at 127.4 pounds on his first attempt, exceeding the division limit by 1.4 pounds.

Following the initial weigh-in, Figueroa did not return to the scales within the permitted one-hour window to make a second attempt. Although he reportedly recorded an unofficial weight of 126.8 pounds after the deadline, the failure to meet the limit resulted in him being stripped of his WBA featherweight title.

The situation worsened on Saturday morning when it was confirmed that Figueroa had withdrawn from the contest entirely after falling ill. This development leaves the WBA featherweight title vacant and removes one of the marquee matchups from the evening's card.

The fight was set to take place at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It was intended to be a significant feature of the event, which is part of a collaborative broadcast series between DAZN and TNT Sports.

Figueroa, 27-2-1 with 20 knockouts, had secured the WBA title earlier this year by defeating Nick Ball in Liverpool, England, back in February. His reign as champion concludes without a single successful defense of the belt.

The 29-year-old boxer is a two-weight world champion. Prior to his featherweight success, he held the WBC featherweight title between 2024 and 2025, and previously captured the WBC super bantamweight championship in 2021.

His opponent, Tomoki Kameda, is a seasoned veteran with a professional record of 42-5 and 23 knockouts. The Japanese challenger previously held the WBO bantamweight world title, a belt he successfully defended during his reign from 2013 to 2014.

The cancellation leaves the event headlined by the WBC super welterweight title fight between champion Sebastian Fundora and mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj. Fundora enters the ring with a 24-1-1 record, aiming to continue his current four-fight winning streak.

The event remains a focal point for boxing fans, as organizers look to showcase championship-level bouts to a broader audience in the United States. Despite the loss of the Figueroa-Kameda fight, the remaining card continues as planned in Las Vegas.

Sebastian Fundora, who holds a record of 24-1-1 with 16 knockouts, has been preparing for his defense against the undefeated Ermal Hadribeaj. The champion is currently riding a four-fight winning streak since his 2023 knockout loss to Brian Mendoza.

Hadribeaj enters the high-stakes matchup with an unblemished professional record of 23-0-1, including 8 knockouts. As the mandatory challenger, he represents a significant test for Fundora, who is looking to solidify his position in the super welterweight division.

The card at The Chelsea is part of the 'The Fight' series, a joint venture between DAZN and TNT Sports. The initiative aims to bring high-profile championship boxing matches to a wider, mainstream audience across the United States.

The weigh-in process for the event was closely monitored by officials. Figueroa's inability to reach the 126-pound featherweight limit was a major setback for the promotion, as the title was immediately vacated upon his failure to weigh in correctly.

Figueroa's career has been defined by his ability to compete at multiple weights. His transition from super bantamweight to featherweight has seen him face some of the division's toughest competition, including his victory over Nick Ball earlier this year.

Tomoki Kameda, a well-known figure in international boxing, has long been a contender on the world stage. His experience as a former WBO bantamweight champion provided the necessary credentials for this high-profile featherweight title challenge.

The cancellation of the co-feature bout is a disappointment for fans who were looking forward to seeing two world-class fighters compete for the WBA belt. The vacancy of the title will likely lead to future discussions regarding the division's rankings.

Medical concerns cited on Saturday morning regarding Figueroa's health ultimately forced the final decision to pull him from the card. The fighter's condition prevented him from proceeding with the bout, regardless of his weight issues from the previous day.

Boxing analysts noted the depth of the weekend's schedule, which also features a heavyweight rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley in London. The sport continues to see a busy calendar of events throughout the remainder of 2026.

As the boxing community turns its attention to the main event in Las Vegas, the focus remains on the clash between Fundora and Hadribeaj. The outcome of that fight will have significant implications for the WBC super welterweight title rankings.