Fundora Stops Hadribeaj In Final Second, Dubois Blasts Out Wardley

Fundora Stops Hadribeaj In Final Second, Dubois Blasts Out Wardley

WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian "The Towering Inferno" Fundora retained his title with a 12th-round knockout of previously undefeated mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj in Las Vegas, needing the full 36 minutes before a left hook dropped Hadribeaj in the fight's final second. Referee Thomas Taylor waved off the bout after Hadribeaj beat the count but could not continue. Fundora remains No. 2 in the 154-pound rankings, while Hadribeaj holds at No. 9.

In London, Daniel Dubois defended his WBO heavyweight title with a second-round TKO of Fabio Wardley in their rematch, dropping Wardley just 17 seconds into the opening round, the first knockdown of Wardley's professional career, before forcing a corner stoppage at 2:21 of the second round. Dubois stays ESPN's No. 3-ranked heavyweight, while Wardley slides two spots to No. 6.

In the Las Vegas co-main event, Jose Armando Resendiz won a unanimous decision over Koen Mazoudier by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93 after stepping in on short notice for an injured Jermall Charlo. Resendiz remains No. 8 at 168 pounds.

Joe Cordina Cleared Of Assault After Cardiff Trial

Former two-time world champion Joe Cordina, 34, was found not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O'Brien, 33, after District Judge Charlotte Murphy ruled at Cardiff Magistrates' Court that he acted in self-defense with proportionate force. The incident stemmed from a February confrontation outside a gas station in Pentwyn, Cardiff, that was captured on CCTV and circulated online.

The court heard O'Brien shoulder-barged Cordina before the boxer responded with a single punch that knocked him down, after which the two continued exchanging blows. Cordina testified he reacted instinctively because O'Brien had his hands in his pockets, and Murphy said she was satisfied a "single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances." O'Brien had already pleaded guilty to assault by beating, and an earlier charge against Cordina was dismissed before trial.

The legal trouble had previously cost Cordina a chance to enter the United States for a shot at the WBO lightweight title. He remains the WBO's top-ranked lightweight contender, above Sam Noakes and Andy Cruz, despite having fought just twice in the division, most recently a unanimous decision over Gabriel Flores Jr. in Stockton ten months ago.

Ennis, Kelly Both Sign New Matchroom Deals Ahead Of 154-Pound Unification

Jaron "Boots" Ennis has signed a multi-fight, seven-bout contract extension with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom running through the end of 2029, a deal expected to total eight figures. The WBA and WBO super welterweight champion is 36-0 with 32 knockouts after stopping Xander Zayas in Brooklyn and is targeting undisputed status at 154 pounds.

IBF super welterweight champion Josh Kelly also signed a new multi-fight extension with Matchroom. Kelly, 32, won his title by majority decision over Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle in January and retained it in July with a unanimous decision over then-unbeaten Caoimhin Agyarko in Jeddah. Ennis is expected to face Kelly in a three-belt unification planned for January or February 2027, with the winner set to face WBC champion Sebastian Fundora in a four-belt unification later that year.

Pauls Seeks December Date After Cancelled Fight

Former British and IBF international middleweight champion Brad Pauls, 33, said he is scrambling to find a new date to fight before the end of the year after his scheduled 13 November bout was cancelled, and the Newquay fighter is targeting a slot a couple of weeks into December.

Pauls lost his IBF International belt to Bradley Goldsmith in June, the third defeat of a 25-fight career that includes one draw, but knocked out highly-rated Shakiel Thompson in March. He called staying active before Christmas "massively important" to prepare for a bigger fight he has lined up for February.