There was also a business decision that shaped his year. Billiam-Smith has been ordered to face Roman Fress in a fight for the WBO interim cruiserweight title. The fight was booked for January and was seen as a straightforward comeback option.
It did not move forward. The issue was the wallet. The winning bid came to about $157,000. Billiam-Smith’s share would have been below six figures once splits were applied. For a former world champion returning after a long layoff, the conditions were not accepted.
By passing the fight, Billiam-Smith gave up positioning. He dropped to #5 in the WBO rankings by the end of 2025. There was no interim belt and no mandatory position waiting. In return, he retained control over his next move and the timing of his return.
Instead, Billiam-Smith chose to wait. He said he expects 2026 to be a busier year and that the focus is on bigger fights rather than an interim route. The target discussed by his team is a return in February 2026.
That timing coincides with a change on the promotional side. Billiam-Smith is promoted by BOXXER, which has moved its broadcasting partnership to the BBC. Billiam-Smith spoke about the appeal of fighting on terrestrial television and the greater exposure it provides.
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 beginning of a slower stretch in his schedule.
No opponent has been announced. Billiam-Smith is expected back in early 2026. February remains the working target, with direction focused on battles that justify the time away.
