Sebastian Fundora clinched a dramatic stoppage victory over Ermal Hadribeaj in the final second of their WBC super welterweight title fight, retaining his belt with a knockout at 2:59 of the twelfth round. The win came after a messy contest, with Hadribeaj frequently ducking low and resorting to holding, which led to two penalty point deductions against him.
Throughout the fight, Fundora targeted the body, wearing down Hadribeaj’s legs. Despite the rough tactics from Hadribeaj, Fundora maintained composure and pressure. The Mexican-American capitalized on his opponent’s weakened state in the closing moments, landing the decisive blow that sent Hadribeaj to the canvas and ended the bout just before the final bell.
Hadribeaj’s attempt to disrupt Fundora’s rhythm was clear, with intermittent looping punches and continuous clinching. However, the referee’s decision to penalize Hadribeaj twice for holding reflected the frustration caused by his tactics. Fundora’s consistent bodywork paid off, visibly sapping Hadribeaj’s stamina and mobility as the fight progressed.
With this victory, Fundora has positioned himself for a unification bout against the winner of the upcoming fight between Boots Ennis and Josh Kelly. That match has yet to be formally announced, but early indications suggest Boots Ennis is favored to win. Fundora has already expressed eagerness to face the victor, anticipating an undisputed title fight in the first half of 2027.
The stoppage came as a surprise given how close the fight had been, with Hadribeaj surviving multiple rounds despite the point deductions. The final knockout punch underscored Fundora’s resilience and finishing ability in the championship rounds. Following the fight, Fundora’s focus shifted quickly to the potential unification, signaling his intent to unify the super welterweight division.
Fundora’s performance demonstrated his capacity to adapt and endure despite his opponent’s frustrating style. The WBC super welterweight title remains with him, as he now prepares for what could be the biggest fight of his career pending the outcome of Ennis versus Kelly. The fight card and venue for that unification bout are expected to be confirmed once the Ennis-Kelly fight is officially scheduled.
According to Yahoo Sports.
