Germany’s Roman Fress meets Armend Xhoxhaj in a rematch titled “World Championship Showdown – The Decision,” set for May 30, 2026, at the Magdeburg Exhibition Center. The bout features WBO #1 contender Fress, also the Inter-Continental Champion, against WBO Europe Champion Xhoxhaj, currently ranked #10, in a pivotal all-European clash.
Roman Fress will look to defend his top ranking and secure mandatory challenger status for a future WBO world title opportunity, while Xhoxhaj aims to repeat his previous victory and strengthen his position in the division.
Fress (23-1, 13 KOs), trained by former world champion Robert Stieglitz, enters as the division’s top-ranked contender and captured the WBO Inter-Continental title in May with a 10-round win over Michael Seitz. Despite his strong record and international experience, he has yet to compete in a full 12-round championship bout.
The two fighters first met in May 2022 at an outdoor event in Magdeburg, where Xhoxhaj handed Fress his only professional defeat. This rematch adds extra weight, with both men motivated by rivalry, redemption, and the chance to move closer to a world title shot.
Fress said about the rematch: “My defeat in our first fight was painful; it wasn’t my day, and I got too caught up in his fighting style. Time has passed, we’ve changed a lot, incorporated new elements into our boxing. But he can’t and won’t take away my big chance at a world title fight. I have a lot of respect for Armend; he’s a good family man—just like me. But in the ring, things get serious, and there’s no holding back! So I share Xhoxhaj’s challenge: the fight will be ended early—by me, of course! But before and after, we have mutual respect—one of the reasons I love boxing!
