Chris Billam-Smith could find himself back in the title picture by his next fight.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed that the sanctioning body is prepared to sanction an interim title fight at cruiserweight. The idea of a secondary title has become a necessity as unified WBA-WBO 200lbs titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez continues to recover from shoulder surgery earlier this summer.
“In light of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s injury & recovery process, the WBO will sanction an Interim Title bout between the first available contenders,” Olivieri announced via social media. “Bout will be subject to ensuring Interim status is terminated expeditiously per WBO Rules.”
England’s Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), is currently the leading contender and two fights removed from having held the WBO 200lbs title for nearly 18 months. Ranked right behind him is Germany’s Roman Fress, 23-1 (13 KOs), a 31-year-old Kazakhstan-born boxer based in Magdeburg, Germany.
WBO officials historically tend to gauge interest between eligible contenders before ordering such contests, thus the cautious move to make available an interim title. The sanctioning body generally frowns upon the use of secondary titles, save for when it becomes a necessity.
Ramirez’s current unavailability would qualify as such a scenario.
“Interim titles are warranted only under exceptional circumstances and in line with the WBO’s policy of one world champion per weight class,” noted Olivieri. “Ensuring the division remains active while upholding the integrity of our championships.”
Mexico’s Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), dethroned Billam-Smith via unanimous decision in their WBA-WBO unification bout last November 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 34-year-old southpaw from Mazatlan previously became a two-division titlist after a unanimous decision over unbeaten WBA titlist Arsen Goulamirian last March 30 in Inglewood, California.
The lone fight of the year for Ramirez came on June 28 when he outpointed WBA mandatory challenger and former two-time cruiserweight titlist Yuniel Dorticos. The win came on the undercard of the Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr DAZN Pay-Per-View event, a card which teased the possibility of a Ramirez-Paul showdown later this year.
Such rumors were bolstered after Paul was ranked in the top 15 by the WBA at cruiserweight. However, the matter is moot since Ramirez is on the mend.
Billam-Smith’s first post-title reign appearance came on the April 26 Chris Eubank Jnr-Conor Benn undercard. The former titlist outpointed hard-hitting Brandon Glanton over twelve rounds. It marked his first win since he defeated unbeaten Richard Riakporhe last June 15 to retain his WBO belt and avenge his lone career defeat at the time.
Fress would enter his first title fight – secondary or otherwise - should he accept the opportunity to compete for the interim belt. It would also mark his first scheduled 12-round contest. He has won seven in a row since a May 2022 split decision defeat to Armend Xhoxhaj in his Magdeburg hometown.
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