Interim Glory Beckons: Billam-Smith and Fress Set for Showdown

WBO's Directive: Setting the Stage for a Cruiserweight Confrontation

The World Boxing Organization has formally ordered a battle for its interim cruiserweight title, pitting the top-ranked challenger, Chris Billam-Smith, against the second-ranked contender, Roman Fress. This pivotal decision stems from the temporary unavailability of unified champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who is currently recuperating from recent shoulder surgery. The WBO has granted both camps a 20-day period to negotiate the terms of this highly anticipated bout.

Chris Billam-Smith: A Resilient Contender's Path to Another Title Opportunity

Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) captured his cruiserweight title in 2023 by surprisingly defeating Lawrence Okolie. He successfully defended his belt against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe before facing a setback against Ramirez last November. Despite the loss, Billam-Smith demonstrated his enduring skill and determination with a decisive victory over Brandon Glanton in April, which promptly propelled him back into contention for a championship.

Roman Fress: Emerging Force in the Cruiserweight Landscape

Roman Fress (23-1, 13 KO) has steadily built his professional career over six years, primarily competing against less formidable opponents within the European circuit, predominantly in his native Germany. His most notable contest was a 2022 split decision loss to Armend Xhoxhaj. Interestingly, Xhoxhaj was later stopped by Billam-Smith within seven months, hinting at the potential disparity in experience and skill level between the two fighters. Despite this, Fress's consistent performance has earned him the second spot in the WBO's cruiserweight rankings, reflecting the current state of the division's competitive landscape, which also still lists Sergey Kovalev at number eight.