A deal has been agreed for Deontay Wilder to face Jai Opetaia on the Fury vs Joshua undercard at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11, 2026, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafael. The fight is not signed yet. If it goes ahead, it will be Opetaia’s first fight at heavyweight.
Rafael reported on Friday, October 30, citing a source, that both teams had agreed terms for the bout to join the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card, which streams live on Netflix.
Wilder vs Opetaia at a Glance
| Deontay Wilder | Jai Opetaia | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 45-4-1, 43 KOs | 31-0, 24 KOs |
| Nationality | American | Australian |
| Usual division | Heavyweight | Cruiserweight |
| Last fight | Beat Derek Chisora on a split decision (April 2026) | Stopped Noel Mikaelian in round 9 (2026) |
| Titles | Former WBC heavyweight champion | Former cruiserweight world champion |
How the Wilder vs Opetaia Deal Came Together
Wilder had been expected to face Oleksandr Usyk next, but that plan was dropped. His manager, Shelly Finkel, said Usyk asked for more money than the promoters were willing to pay. In mid-October, Finkel said Wilder had accepted an offer to fight Opetaia in the Fury vs Joshua co-feature, while also holding talks about a WBA title fight with Murat Gassiev.
Finkel admitted Wilder would prefer the Gassiev fight because a world title would be on the line, but said he would happily take the Opetaia fight. The latest report suggests Opetaia is now the agreed opponent.
Why the Fight Matters for Both Men
For Wilder, a win over an unbeaten world-level fighter would revive his case for another title shot. He has struggled since losing to Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021, with defeats to Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024, before his comeback win over Chisora in April. His right hand remains one of the most dangerous punches in the division.
For Opetaia, the fight is a big step into the spotlight. The Australian has agreed to face David Benavidez in 2027, and a Netflix audience on a card of this size gives him exposure he has never had before. The risk is clear: he has never taken heavyweight power, and few punch harder than Wilder.
The Fury Connection
Wilder’s place on the card adds history to the night. His trilogy with Tyson Fury, which included a draw in 2018 and two Fury stoppage wins, is one of the great heavyweight rivalries of the modern era. Now he could fight on the same bill as Fury’s long-awaited clash with Joshua.
What Happens Next
The bout still needs signed contracts and an official announcement from the promoters. No other undercard fights are confirmed yet, although Joseph Parker vs Frazer Clarke has also been reported. We will update our Fury vs Joshua undercard page the moment the card is official.
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Source: Dan Rafael, as reported by BoxingScene.
