The proposed bout, for the WBO interim cruiserweight title, between Chris Billam-Smith and Germany's Roman Fress is in limbo after Thursday's purse bids, in Budapest, came and went without any offers to stage it.
The Boxxer-promoted Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), has been inactive since outpointing Brandon Glanton in April. The 35-year-old, from Bournemouth, England, lost the WBO title to Gilbert Ramirez last November. Ramirez is currently sidelined with injury, hence why the WBO has moved to instate an interim titlist.
Fress, 23-1 (13 KOs) and promoted by SES, decisioned Michael Seitz over 10 rounds in May, a victory which represented his eighth consecutive triumph since his lone defeat, to Armend Xhoxhaj, in May 2022.
The WBO are now considering their options which might include lowering the minimum bid, which did stand at $300,000.
One fight that will go ahead is the battle between super middleweights Luka Plantic, from Croatia, and Uganda's Shadiri Musa Bwogi. The contest, for the WBC International strap, is set for November 23 at the Olympic Park in Tirana, Albania.
