Sebastian Fundora brutally KOs Ermal Hadribeaj to retain WBC title, set up potential 'Boots' Ennis fight

Sebastian Fundora scored a buzzer-beating stoppage win over Ermal Hadribeaj to retain his WBC super welterweight championship Saturday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, but it was not without controversy.While the 6-foot-6 Fundora's sheer size, activity and inside-boxing wore Hadribeaj down with time, the circumstances surrounding the finish will attract scrutiny.Fundora (25-1-1, 17 KOs) had been lashing uppercuts at Hadribeaj for most of the fight, and paid particular attention to bodywork in the rounds leading up to the 12th. Hadribeaj (23-1-1, 8 KOs) was breathing heavily, with his jaw wide open, for much of the fight.A late knockdown, at the very least, seemed likely. The only problem was, it came right at the literal end of the bout, as Fundora punched Hadribeaj from corner to corner. "The Towering Inferno" hit Hadribeaj with short-range left hands, one-twos and hooks, before a final straight clattered Hadribeaj to the canvas. There, he lay exhausted, struggling to register the 10-count from referee Thomas Taylor, let alone beat it.12th Round Knockout 🌪️Sebastian Fundora successfully defends his WBC title – is Boots Ennis next? 🏆 #FundoraHadribeaj(via @PremierBoxing) pic.twitter.com/LG7CS3WP5K— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) October 18, 2026 But Taylor didn't notice something, either: The final bell had already rung before Fundora landed that fight-finishing punch. Taylor could have permitted Hadribeaj to climb to his feet without waving the fight off, since he wouldn't have been rescuing Hadribeaj from further punishment. Instead, the referee deemed it knockout defeat for the Albanian challenger instead."I liked knocking him out in the last second," a victorious Fundora said post-fight.DAZN broadcaster Chris Mannix asked the 28-year-old what he wants next, in light of a probable imminent fight announcement involving the division's other titleholders, the unified champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis and the IBF ruler Josh Kelly.Fundora said he wants the winner. "We want [to be the] undisputed [champion]," he declared."WE WILL BREAK THEM DOWN" 🗣️Sebastian Fundora is READY for the winner of Boots vs Kelly! #TheFight | #FundoraHadribeaj ▪️ pic.twitter.com/JvUYO9wyQL— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 18, 2026 Saturday night's TNT-broadcasted card was riddled with withdrawals from marquee names Jermall Charlo and Brandon Figueroa, but still had a notable moment further down the card, with burgeoning super middleweight prospect Marco Romero (16-0, 14 KOs) annihilating Braulio Matias Ferreira (8-4, 3 KOs) with a first-round knockout win.3 STRAIGHT 1ST ROUND KO’s FOR ROMERO! 😮‍💨💥GambleAware 18+ Please play responsibly#TheFight | #FundoraHadribeaj | Live NOW on DAZN and TNT | #DZBTUK #DAZNBTFR #DZBTCANADA 🤳 pic.twitter.com/UweSPkbbYI— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 18, 2026 In other results, Armando Reséndiz (17-3, 11 KOs) defeated Koen Mazoudier (16-5-1, 6 KOs) by unanimous decision, Jaime Osuna (12-0, 5 KOs) edged Cristian Cangelosi (13-1-1, 5 KOs) with a majority decision, and David Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs) beat Angel Carrillo (5-1-1, 2 KOs) by second-round finish.Main cardWBC super welterweight championship: Sebastian Fundora (c) def. Ermal Hadribeaj by R12 TKO | Watch finishSuper middleweight: Armando Reséndiz def. Koen Mazoudier via unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 97-93)Super middleweight: Marco Romero def. Braulio Matias Ferreira via R1 TKO | Watch finishMiddleweight: Jaime Enrique Osuna Diaz def. Cristian Cangelosi via majority decision (76-76, 77-75, 77-75)Preliminary cardFeatherweight: David Garcia def. Angel Carrillo by Rd 2 KO