Jai Opetaia is an unbeaten Australian boxer (31-0, 24 KOs) and a two-time IBF cruiserweight world champion who moves up to heavyweight to face Deontay Wilder on the Fury vs Joshua card in Cardiff on December 11, 2026.
Born in Sydney in 1995, he is a southpaw known for speed, sharp combinations and a reputation for toughness after winning his first world title with a broken jaw.
Many Netflix viewers will see him for the first time on fight night. Here is everything you need to know.
Jai Opetaia at a Glance
| Full name | Jai Tapu Opetaia |
| Born | June 30, 1995, Sydney, Australia |
| Age | 31 |
| Heritage | Australian of Samoan descent |
| Height | 6ft 2in (188 cm) |
| Reach | 76in (193 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Record | 31-0, 24 KOs |
| Usual division | Cruiserweight |
| Titles | Two-time IBF cruiserweight champion; The Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight champion |
| Next fight | Deontay Wilder, December 11, 2026, Cardiff |
From Teenage Olympian to Professional
Opetaia was a three-time national amateur champion and boxed for Australia at the London 2012 Olympics at just 16. He turned professional in August 2015 and won his first 11 fights in under two years. In 2020 he moved his training base to the Gold Coast to chase a world title shot.
The Broken Jaw Win That Made His Name
In July 2022, Opetaia faced Latvia’s Mairis Briedis for the IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles on the Gold Coast. He suffered a jaw broken in two places during the fight but still won a unanimous decision. The injury kept him out for over a year, and the win became one of the toughest title victories in recent Australian boxing.
Jai Opetaia’s Biggest Wins
| Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mairis Briedis | July 2022 | Won IBF and Ring titles, unanimous decision |
| Jordan Thompson | September 2023 | Stoppage, round 4 |
| Ellis Zorro | December 2023 | Knockout, round 1 |
| Mairis Briedis (rematch) | May 2024 | Regained IBF title, unanimous decision |
| Jack Massey | October 2024 | Stoppage, round 6 |
| David Nyika | January 2025 | Knockout, round 4 |
| Brandon Glanton | March 2026 | Won Zuffa title, decision |
| Noel Mikaelian | September 2026 | Stoppage, round 9 |
Opetaia lost the IBF belt outside the ring twice: first after choosing to fight Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia in 2023, and again in 2026 after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Both times he kept winning.
Jai Opetaia’s Fighting Style
Opetaia is a pressure southpaw. He likes to close distance behind his jab, throw fast combinations and attack the body. His left hand has finished many of his fights, and he stops about three of every four opponents. His main weakness, according to some trainers, is that his defence can open up when he goes for the finish.
Why Opetaia Is Fighting Deontay Wilder
Wilder is the biggest name Opetaia has ever faced. A win over a former WBC heavyweight champion on a Netflix stadium card would make him a household name and open bigger fights in both divisions, including a possible clash with David Benavidez. It is also a serious risk: Wilder is about four inches taller, has a seven-inch reach advantage and has 43 knockouts.
Read our full breakdown: Can Jai Opetaia beat Deontay Wilder at heavyweight? And for the tale of the tape, prediction and start time, see our Wilder vs Opetaia guide.
