Ermal Hadribeaj, the 32-year-old southpaw known as “The Albanian Sniper,” defeated Bakary Samake by unanimous decision on May 23, 2026, to become the mandatory challenger for the WBC super welterweight world title. The 12-round Final Eliminator took place at the Willy-Jürissen-Halle in Oberhausen, Germany, after the matchup was rescheduled from its original date in Paris. Judges scored the contest 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112 in favor of Ermal Hadribeaj, who entered the ring ranked number three by the WBC.
The victory serves as a definitive career milestone for Ermal Hadribeaj, who improved his professional record to 23-0-1. By handing the 23-year-old Bakary Samake his first professional defeat, the Albanian fighter has secured a direct path to challenge the current WBC champion, Sebastian Fundora. “I’ve been working for this moment my whole life,” Ermal Hadribeaj said following the result. “Winning here doesn’t just change my career; it puts me exactly where I belong—at the top.”
Bakary Samake, an orthodox fighter from France, entered the bout as the WBC’s top contender at 154 pounds. Despite holding a one-inch height advantage and a higher knockout percentage of 58%, Bakary Samake was unable to overcome the experience of Ermal Hadribeaj, who had logged 180 professional rounds compared to the Frenchman’s 116. The contest was highly competitive, but the Albanian’s tactical approach consistently found favor with the officials sitting ringside.
Purse bid and relocation to Germany
The road to Oberhausen was complicated by a late cancellation of the original event scheduled for April 25 in Paris. That entire card, which featured Tony Yoka and Lawrence Okolie, was scrapped just four days before the fight after Lawrence Okolie tested positive for a banned substance. Ermal Hadribeaj expressed his frustration with the delay, noting that it was a shame because both he and Bakary Samake were “perfectly ready” for the original date.
Following the Paris cancellation, the WBC organized a purse bid on April 29 to determine who would promote the rearranged eliminator. Arena Box Promotions, led by Ahmet Oner, won the rights with a bid of $339,817, significantly higher than the $281,800 offer from the camp of Bakary Samake. This financial victory allowed Arena Box Promotions to move the fight to North Rhine-Westphalia, where Ermal Hadribeaj successfully exploited his veteran poise.
Ahmet Oner remarked that his fighter had traveled a difficult path to reach this stage. The promotional team’s decision to secure the fight rights proved vital, as it shifted the momentum away from the French prospect’s home turf. The weigh-in on May 22 reflected the narrow margins between the two, with Ermal Hadribeaj tipping the scales at 69.3 kilograms and Bakary Samake following at 69.2 kilograms.
Current status of the 154-pound title picture
With his mandatory status confirmed, Ermal Hadribeaj now sits at the front of the queue for the crown currently worn by Sebastian Fundora. The division’s landscape is notably complex, as Vergil Ortiz continues to hold the WBC interim championship. However, Vergil Ortiz has been sidelined by a legal dispute, potentially clearing the way for the WBC to order a title bout between the champion and the new mandatory challenger.
Boxing fans are monitoring how the champion will handle the pressure of these emerging contenders. While Ermal Hadribeaj waits for his shot, other fighters are positioning themselves for potential eliminators, similar to how Shane Mosley Jr. has been preparing for his own high-stakes tests. For Ermal Hadribeaj, the 116-112 scorecard in Germany provided the most comfortable margin in what was otherwise a grueling tactical chess match.
Bakary Samake’s future remains bright despite the setback. At 23 years old, he still holds high rankings with other sanctioning bodies, including a number five spot with the WBO and a number eight position with the IBF. His performance against Ermal Hadribeaj demonstrated championship-level durability, even if he fell just short of the rounds needed to secure a win on foreign soil. The French prospect will likely need to rebuild before eyeing another final eliminator.
What follows for the Albanian Sniper
Ermal Hadribeaj has proven he can win significant fights outside of his home region, a quality typically required for long-term championship success. His status as a southpaw with an undefeated record makes him a stylistically difficult out for any top-tier fighter. Having made his professional debut in 2019, his five-year rise to the top of the WBC rankings has been methodical.
The focus now shifts to the WBC headquarters and their upcoming rulings on title defenses. Given the inactivity of the interim champion, the pressure is on common opponents to remain sharp. The division remains a focal point for the sport, especially as fans weigh the threats facing veterans like Errol Spence Jr. and the rise of new challengers. Ermal Hadribeaj has unequivocally joined that elite conversation.
