World Championship fight in Germany! SES Boxing secures the rights to the WBO interim title fight between Roman Fress and Chris Billam-Smith.
A major success for German boxing: Magdeburg-based boxing stable SES Boxing has secured the rights to host the WBO Interim World Championship cruiserweight bout between Roman Fress and former British world champion Chris Billam-Smith. As promoter Ulf Steinforth announced on Thursday evening at the WBO European headquarters in Budapest, the world championship duel will take place in Germany. The fight is expected to take place in early 2026. One thing is certain: Roman Fress will get his long-dreamed-of home match.
“Now we finally have the necessary planning security,” said Steinforth. “Roman can secure the world championship belt in Germany. This will be a mega event for German boxing. There hasn’t been such a big world championship fight in this country for a long time.” For Fress (23 wins, 1 defeat, 13 knockouts), it is the biggest fight of his career to date. The 31-year-old, who is under contract with SES Boxing, will face a top opponent: Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 15 knockouts), who won the WBO title in 2023 and lost it to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez last year.
The WBO had ordered the interim world championship duel after champion Ramírez had to take a break due to injury. With the successful purse bid
Text by Robin Josten