LAS VEGAS — WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora kept his pursuit of an undisputed championship squarely on track in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, scoring a knockout with just a single second remaining in the final round to defeat mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
In a bout that tested the champion’s versatility, resilience, and finishing instincts, Fundora delivered a decisive left hand at 2:59 of the 12th round to bring an abrupt end to a grueling contest. The last-gasp stoppage allowed the 28-year-old champion to retain his World Boxing Council 154-pound belt, ensuring that his ambitious plans to unify the entire super welterweight division remain fully intact.
With the victory, Fundora expanded his professional record to 25-1-1 with 17 knockouts, successfully completing the fourth defense of his WBC crown. For Hadribeaj, a stubborn opponent who made Fundora work throughout the night, the sudden defeat marked the first loss of his professional career, bringing his record to 23-1-1.
Following the dramatic conclusion, Fundora reflected on the tactical adjustments he was forced to make against an awkward opponent and the satisfaction of finishing the fight before it reached the judges’ scorecards.
“It was an interesting fight,” Fundora said in his post-fight interview. “I had to go back and fight on the inside and
