Fundora Halts Hadribeaj in Final Round to Secure Super Welterweight Crown

Sebastian Fundora claimed the super welterweight title in Las Vegas after securing a dramatic final-round knockout against Ermal Hadribeaj. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, the Californian utilized his superior height and reach to wear down his Albanian challenger across an attritional 12-round battle.

Hadribeaj initially enjoyed a positive start to the bout, unsettling Fundora in the opening round with a sequence of stiff jabs. However, the momentum quickly shifted in the second round when Fundora shook Hadribeaj with a sharp left hand, pushing the challenger onto the back foot.

As Fundora steadily accumulated points, Hadribeaj grew increasingly frustrated and was penalized with a point deduction in the third round for excessive holding. The 28-year-old Fundora further tightened his grip on the contest during the fifth round, landing a damaging flurry of uppercuts that kept him comfortably ahead on the scorecards.

Hadribeaj's difficulties compounded in the 11th round when he was penalized another point for holding, leaving him with no realistic path to victory other than a knockout stoppage in the final frame.

Forced to mount an aggressive assault in the 12th round, Hadribeaj left himself vulnerable. Fundora capitalized on the opening, unleashing a devastating left hand that sent his opponent sprawling to the canvas. The stoppage came at two minutes and 59 seconds of the 12th round, right before the final bell.

With the dramatic victory, Fundora enhanced his professional record to 25 wins, one defeat, and one draw, with 17 of those wins coming via knockout. Hadribeaj's record slipped to 23-1-1 following the defeat.