Location: Willy‑Jürissen‑Halle, Oberhausen, Nordrhein‑Westfalen, Germany
Venue, Location & Start Time
- Venue: Willy‑Jürissen‑Halle
- City: Oberhausen, Nordrhein‑Westfalen, Germany
- Ringwalk Time:8:00 PM UTC
- 4:00 PM ET
- 1:00 PM PT (Los Angeles)
- Event Start Time (Tapology): 1:00 PM ET for the card
This is a 12‑round super‑welterweight (154 lb) contest and an official WBC World Title Final Eliminator.
Injury Report
No injuries or medical issues have been reported for either fighter. Both enter the eliminator fully cleared. (If fight‑week issues arise, they will be updated by the promoter or sanctioning body.)
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Ermal Hadribeaj | Bakary Samaké |
| Record | 22‑0‑1 (8 KOs) | 19‑0 (11 KOs) |
| Age | 32 | 23 |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Debut | 2019 | 2021 |
| Pro Rounds | 168 | 104 |
| WBC Ranking | #3 | #1 |
| Other Rankings | — | #5 WBO, #8 IBF, #10 The Ring |
Key physical notes:
- Samaké is younger, taller, and has more KO power (58% KO rate vs. 36%).
- Hadribeaj is more experienced, with 64 more pro rounds and a longer résumé.
Recent Form
Ermal Hadribeaj
- Undefeated: 22‑0‑1
- Last fight: Shutout 10‑round decision over Placido Ramirez (Nov 2025)
- Career built across the U.S. and Europe
Bakary Samaké
- Undefeated: 19‑0
- Last fight: KO win over previously unbeaten Alejandro Ortiz (Oct 2025)
- Has stopped his last three opponents
Fight History & Context
- This fight was originally scheduled for April 25 on the Yoka–Okolie card, but the event was canceled after Okolie tested positive for a banned substance.
- The WBC held a purse bid on April 29; Arena Box Promotions (Hadribeaj’s team) won with $339,817, beating Samaké’s team’s $281,800.
- Winner becomes mandatory challenger for WBC champion Sebastian Fundora.
Stylistic Matchup Breakdown
Ermal Hadribeaj — The Technician
- Southpaw, awkward angles
- Excellent defensive responsibility
- Strong ring IQ and patience
- Comfortable in long fights (168 rounds)
- Lower KO rate suggests a volume‑and‑timing approach
Bakary Samaké — The Young Power Athlete
- Explosive, sharp combinations
- 58% KO rate, significantly higher than Hadribeaj
- Taller, longer, and more physically dynamic
- Strong momentum with recent stoppages
- Still developing at the elite level
Key Dynamics
- Experience vs. Youth
- Southpaw trickiness vs. Orthodox power
- Ring generalship vs. athletic aggression
FIGHT ODDS
Bakary Samake – 240
Ermal Hadribeaj + 180
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
