Sebastian Fundora sees little behind Ermal Hadribeaj’s knockout predictions, telling The Ring that his unbeaten mandatory challenger presents no threat in power or boxing ability ahead of their October 17 fight in Las Vegas.
Hadribeaj has eight knockouts in a 23-0-1 record, which makes stopping the WBC light middleweight champion an ambitious promise. His best victory, a unanimous decision over Bakary Samake in May, earned him this opportunity without showing that he possesses the punch to finish Fundora.
“Boxing-wise, IQ-wise or anything, I don’t see no threat at all,” Fundora told The Ring. “Punching power? No, there’s not really anything in my mindset that is realistic in that situation.”
Fundora’s confidence is understandable. Hadribeaj hasn’t beaten anyone with the champion’s combination of height, output, and experience. Getting past Samake in an eliminator was a useful win, but dealing with a 6-foot-6 southpaw who can maintain pressure through repeated exchanges requires considerably more.
The challenger’s unbeaten record offers no answer to how he will react when Fundora forces him to work harder than he has against previous opposition. If Hadribeaj cannot discourage him with his punches, finding enough room to box could become difficult.
Still, Fundora has already experienced the danger of giving an opponent opportunities to land. Brian Mendoza knocked him out in the seventh round in April 2023. That defeat should remain a reason to stay defensively responsible, even against someone whose record suggests modest power.
A low knockout total doesn’t prevent a challenger from landing one damaging shot. Fundora’s willingness to fight at close range can give opponents chances they would struggle to create if he consistently used his reach.
Fundora has won four straight since the Mendoza loss, most recently stopping Keith Thurman in six rounds. Hadribeaj represents another chance to build toward bigger fights, including a possible unification with Jaron Ennis.
The challenger has earned his title shot. His knockout prediction requires evidence he has yet to provide.