Wilder vs Opetaia takes place on Friday, December 11, 2026 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, as the co-feature to Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) faces unbeaten Jai Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) over 12 rounds, live on Netflix worldwide.
It is a classic clash of styles: one of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history against one of the most skilled fighters in the sport, moving up from cruiserweight. Every other fight detail is in our main Fury vs Joshua guide.
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Wilder vs Opetaia Key Facts
| Fight | Deontay Wilder vs Jai Opetaia |
| Date | Friday, December 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |
| Billing | Co-feature on the Fury vs Joshua card |
| Weight class | Heavyweight |
| Rounds | 12 |
| Broadcast | Live on Netflix, no extra cost |
| Status | Confirmed by Netflix on November 4, 2026 |
Wilder vs Opetaia Tale of the Tape
| Deontay Wilder | Jai Opetaia | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Bronze Bomber | |
| Age | 41 | 31 |
| Record | 45-4-1 | 31-0 |
| Knockouts | 43 | 24 |
| From | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA | Sydney, Australia |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Usual division | Heavyweight | Cruiserweight |
| Olympics | Bronze, Beijing 2008 | Competed at London 2012 |
| Last fight | Beat Derek Chisora on a split decision (April 2026) | Stopped Noel Mikaelian in round 9 (September 2026) |
Wilder is about four inches taller and has around seven inches more reach. Between them, the two men have 67 knockouts. See how they compare with the main event in our Fury vs Joshua tale of the tape.
Deontay Wilder: Can the Bronze Bomber Turn Back the Clock?
Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and built his name on a right hand that ended most of his fights early. His career turned after two losses to Tyson Fury, and he won only one of five fights between 2020 and 2025. A split decision over Derek Chisora in April put him back in the mix. At 41, his power is still real, but his punch output and ability to take shots are the big questions.
Jai Opetaia: The Unbeaten Cruiserweight Moving Up
Opetaia, a 2012 Olympian at 16, held the IBF cruiserweight title from 2022 to 2025 and is widely rated among the best fighters in the world. He won the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title in March and stopped Noel Mikaelian in September. He brings speed, southpaw angles and a high work rate. This is his first fight at heavyweight, so how he handles a much bigger puncher is the unknown.
Wilder vs Opetaia Prediction and Odds
Most analysts see Opetaia as the favourite thanks to his youth, speed and activity, while Wilder has slowed down in recent years. Bookmakers had not widely published prices at the time of writing; we will add the odds once they settle.
| Opetaia’s edge | Wilder’s edge |
|---|---|
| Ten years younger and far more active | One of the biggest punchers in heavyweight history |
| Southpaw angles that can take away Wilder’s right hand | About four inches taller with a longer reach |
| Unbeaten in 31 fights | Years of experience against heavyweights |
| Fast combinations and body work | Only needs one clean shot to end it |
Our pick: Jai Opetaia by stoppage in the second half of the fight. Opetaia should win most of the exchanges with movement and volume, but he must avoid Wilder’s right hand early, when it is most dangerous. This is our editorial opinion, not betting advice.
Wilder vs Opetaia Start Time and How to Watch
As the co-feature, Wilder vs Opetaia is expected to take place shortly before the Fury vs Joshua main event, which has a ring walk planned for around 8 PM ET and 1 AM UK. The exact time has not been announced. The whole card streams live on Netflix. See the Fury vs Joshua start time for your time zone and our guide on how to watch Fury vs Joshua.
Wilder vs Opetaia News
- Deontay Wilder record: every win and loss (fighter record)
- Who is Jai Opetaia? (fighter profile)
- Can Jai Opetaia beat Deontay Wilder at heavyweight? (analysis)
- Wilder vs Opetaia confirmed as Fury vs Joshua co-feature (November 4)
- Wilder vs Opetaia deal first reported (October 30)
See the full card on our Fury vs Joshua undercard page.
Wilder vs Opetaia FAQ
When is Wilder vs Opetaia?
Friday, December 11, 2026 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, as the co-feature to Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.
How can I watch Wilder vs Opetaia?
The fight streams live on Netflix worldwide as part of the Fury vs Joshua card, with no pay-per-view fee.
Who is the favourite in Wilder vs Opetaia?
Most analysts favour Jai Opetaia because of his youth, speed and activity, but Wilder’s punching power gives him a real chance.
Is this Jai Opetaia’s first heavyweight fight?
Yes. Opetaia has spent his career at cruiserweight, where he is unbeaten in 31 fights, and moves up to heavyweight to face Wilder.
How many rounds is Wilder vs Opetaia?
The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds at heavyweight.
Wilder vs Opetaia could steal the show in Cardiff. We will update this page with odds, fight-week news and the result.