WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora secured a dramatic technical knockout against challenger Ermal Hadribeaj with just one second remaining in the 12th round on October 17 at the Chelsea Theater of the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
Last-Second Knockdown Seals Title Defense
The 12-round championship bout reached its climax at 2:59 of the final round. Fundora trapped Hadribeaj with a left hand and unloaded a finishing flurry that prompted referee Thomas Taylor to halt the contest immediately. The stoppage preserved Fundora’s WBC title in his fourth successful defense. CompuBox statistics credited Fundora with 202 total punches landed against 144 for Hadribeaj, including 56 body shots from the champion.
Contested Stoppage and Time Disputed
The timing and validity of the final sequence drew immediate disagreement from the challenger’s corner and observers. Hadribeaj stood back up before the referee’s count concluded, while the final bell sounded concurrently with the stoppage. Promoter Ahmet Öner contested the finish by stating the decisive blow landed after the bell, while fighters Terence Crawford and Timothy Bradley criticized the referee’s decision, according to reports.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA WITH THE BUZZER BEATER TKO!!. 🇲🇽🇨🇺The Towering Inferno successfully defends his WBC Super Welterweight Title with a 12th round finish against Ermal Hadribeaj. #FundoraHadribeaj pic.twitter.com/VbFY5TbaCe
Penalties and Inside Fighting Strategy
Hadribeaj relied on a pressure-heavy, inside-fighting strategy to negate Fundora’s reach advantage, working frequently to the champion’s body. That tactical approach generated frequent clinches. Referee Thomas Taylor penalized Hadribeaj by deducting a point in both the third and 11th rounds for holding. Fundora answered the pressure with uppercuts and steady body work over the distance.
Unbeaten Record Ends in Las Vegas
The defeat marked the first professional loss for Hadribeaj, whose career record shifted to 23 wins, one loss, and one draw. Fundora’s record improved to 25 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 17 coming by knockout.
Targeting Division Unification
Following the victory, Fundora stated his intention to pursue further belt unification within the super welterweight division. Potential future opponents mentioned in discussions include Jaron Ennis and Josh Kelly, though no official bouts or dates have been scheduled by promoters or sanctioning bodies.
