Sebastian Fundora vs Ermal Hadribeaj

This is getting your mandatory out of the way rather than a genuine fifty-fifty fight. Ermal Hadribeaj is unbeaten, composed and earned his chance by outfoxing Bakary Samake over twelve hard rounds, so he’s capable. But Sebastian Fundora is a massive jump in class, size and sustained pressure. Hadribeaj’s experience and craft were decisive against Samake, but Fundora presents an entirely different problem.

Hadribeaj’s best weapon is his footwork. He’s a relaxed southpaw who reads opponents, changes angles and doesn’t waste much. If he can step outside Fundora’s lead foot and turn him after scoring, he might nick some of the early rounds. The trouble is he isn’t a spiteful puncher. Against Fundora, you need enough power to earn respect; otherwise that enormous frame keeps walking through the front door.

Fundora’s weakness has always been his willingness to surrender his height and fight chest-to-chest, where shorter men can reach his body and chin. Brian Mendoza punished him for it. But Fundora’s engine, output and improving jab make him horrible to contain, as Keith Thurman discovered when he was overwhelmed in six rounds last time out. Fundora dominated Thurman before the stoppage.

I expect Hadribeaj to box well early, then get trapped and worn down physically. Fundora by stoppage in the second half.