There was also a business decision that shaped his year. Billam-Smith was ordered to face Roman Fress in a fight for the WBO interim cruiserweight title. The bout was discussed for January and was viewed as a straightforward return option.
It did not move forward. The issue was the purse. The winning bid came in at roughly $157,000. Billam-Smith’s share would have been under six figures once splits were applied. For a former world champion returning after a long layoff, the terms were not accepted.
By passing on the fight, Billam-Smith gave up positioning. He dropped to #5 in the WBO rankings toward the end of 2025. There was no interim belt and no mandatory position waiting. In return, he kept control of his next move and the timing of his return.
Instead, Billam-Smith chose to wait. He has said he expects 2026 to be a busier year and that the focus is on bigger fights rather than an interim route. The target being discussed by his team is a return in February 2026.
That timing aligns with a change on the promotional side. Billam-Smith is promoted by BOXXER, which has shifted its broadcast partnership to the BBC. Billam-Smith has spoken about the appeal of fighting on terrestrial television and the wider exposure it offers.
This comes after his loss to Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024, when he lost the WBO cruiserweight title by unanimous decision in Riyadh. That fight was physically demanding and marked the start of a slower stretch in his schedule.
No opponent has been announced. Billam-Smith is expected back early in 2026. February remains the working target, with the direction focused on fights that justify the time away.
