The Ring's 2024 Fighter of the Year kicked off her 2025 campaign in convincing fashion, as undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora defended her titles in resounding fashion by easily besting Marilyn Badillo.
After six dominant rounds landing a heavy accumulation of punches, Fundora (16-0, 8 KOs) connected with a straight left hand that knocked down Badillo (19-1-1, 3 KOs) for good in the seventh.
Referee Rudy Barragan waved off the action at the 1:44 mark of the seventh round.
After a feeling-out first round, Fundora kicked her ferocity into second gear and steamrolled through the undersized Badillo. The 5-foot-9 Fundora leveraged her six-inch height advantage and landed 118 punches compared to a paltry 21 shots from Badillo, who battled through the bout with a welt on her forehead.
"I think I'm maturing," said Fundora. "I knew the stoppage was going to come. It is how I wanted to place it. With this one it was a relaxed tempo ... I just put the pressure on. It was almost like training. I stayed on her and stayed consistent and didn't give her a break for momentum. I worked hard for the knockout. We train every round for the knockout."
The matchup headlined a Golden Boy Promotions card on DAZN at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, the first boxing event in the new arena's history.
The 23-year-old Fundora has now knocked out four out of her last five opponents during her title run.
Coming into the fight as a near -2500 betting favorite, Fundora co-promoter Oscar De La Hoya said “Sweet Poison” was the best female fighter on the planet.
Fundora is now left searching for notable dance partners, and Golden Boy appears to be building three-division champion Yakosta Valle, who just made her 112-pound debut beating Marlen Esparza, as her next challenger.
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X/Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.