Albanian boxer Ermal Hadribeaj delivered the biggest win of his professional career on Saturday night after defeating French boxer Bakary Samake by unanimous decision in Oberhausen, Germany.

The fight served as a WBC super welterweight world title eliminator, with the winner earning a path toward a world championship opportunity. After 12 rounds, judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Hadribeaj.

The victory also handed Samake the first loss of his professional career. Before entering the fight, the French boxer had remained undefeated and was considered one of the division’s rising stars.

With the win, Hadribeaj improved his professional record to 23 wins, no losses, and one draw, continuing his unbeaten run in the ring.

The result carries even bigger implications for the Albanian fighter. Hadribeaj is now expected to become the mandatory challenger for current WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora, moving one step closer to fighting for a world title.