The WBC announced that Arena Box Promotions has secured the rights to organize a WBC final junior middleweight eliminator bout between France’s Bakary Samake and Albania’s Ermal Hadribeaj. In a competitive bidding process, Arena Box Promotions submitted a winning bid of $339,817 USD, surpassing the proposal from Samake Promotions, which was for $281,800 USD. This bout was originally scheduled to be part of the Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka card. However, following the cancellation of that event last week [due to Okolie failing a drug test], the fight entered a new bidding process to guarantee its realization under the highest standards.

 

Samake (19-0) has proven to be one of the most solid and charismatic figures in European boxing. His dynamic style and undefeated record position him as a favorite among French fans. Hadribeaj (22-0-1) enters with the reputation of being a relentless fighter with a refined technique that has led him to rapidly climb the international rankings. The Albanian sees this eliminator as the perfect opportunity to establish himself among the elite of his wwight class.