On a thrilling night of boxing at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, Gabriela Fundora successfully defended her undisputed women’s flyweight title with a dominant seventh-round TKO over Marilyn Badillo. The 23-year-old American once again showcased why she’s considered one of the brightest talents in boxing today.
She is the youngest undisputed champion of the four-belt era, male or female.
For more on Fundora’s rise, read this article.
A Champion’s Performance
Fundora (now 16-0, 8 KOs), who holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, dictated the pace from the opening bell. Utilizing her notable height and reach advantage, she kept the Mexican challenger at bay and controlled the ring with sharp jabs and footwork. While Badillo (19-1-1, 3 KOs) showed heart and resilience, the skill gap quickly became apparent.
Early rounds were competitive, with Badillo showcasing effective head movement and defensive strategy. However, as the fight progressed, Fundora’s precision and pressure wore her down. From round three on, the champion landed cleaner and heavier shots, especially to the body and head.
The Knockout Blow
The decisive moment came in round seven. After a relentless flurry of punches—highlighted by punishing left hooks to the chin—Fundora dropped Badillo to a knee. Although Badillo quickly got up, the referee saw the damage in her expression and body language and waved the fight off, awarding Fundora the TKO victory.
It was a fair stoppage given Fundora’s rising dominance and Badillo’s deteriorating condition.
Fundora’s Journey: A Star in the Making
This win solidifies Gabriela Fundora’s place atop the flyweight division and underscores her meteoric rise in women’s boxing. After winning the IBF title with a KO over Arely Muciño in 2023 and unifying the belts against Gabriela Alaniz in 2024, Fundora continues to make history.
Badillo: A Respectable First Test on the Big Stage
For Marilyn Badillo, this bout marked her international debut and her first fight against a world-class opponent. Despite the loss, she displayed courage and moments of solid technique. With the experience gained, she could return stronger and more prepared for future challenges.
What’s Next?
Gabriela Fundora has once again proven that she’s the woman to beat in the flyweight division. With all four belts in her possession and a perfect record, the road ahead could include high-profile defenses or even a move up in weight to chase new titles.
2025 may very well be the year of the Fundora siblings—while Gabriela dominates in the women’s division, her brother Sebastian continues his impressive rise among the super welterweights.
