Deontay Wilder to Face Unbeaten Jai Opetaia on Fury-Joshua Undercard
Deontay Wilder will return to the heavyweight spotlight on 11 December, facing unbeaten Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia in Cardiff. Their bout will serve as the co-main event on the card headlined by Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at the Principality Stadium, with the full event streaming worldwide on Netflix.
Wilder, 41, held the World Boxing Council heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and made 10 successful defenses before losing it to Fury. The American has a professional record of 45 wins, four defeats and one draw, with 43 of his victories coming by knockout. After consecutive defeats by Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in 2024 appeared to point toward retirement, he revived his career with wins over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon and Derek Chisora.
Opetaia, 31, has won all 31 of his professional fights and established himself as the leading fighter in the 200lb cruiserweight division. He captured the IBF world title by beating Mairis Briedis in 2022 and has since remained unbeaten. A former Australian Olympian who competed at the 2012 London Games, he will make his heavyweight debut against the 6ft 7in Wilder.
The fight gives both men another route toward boxing’s most prestigious division. Wilder is seeking a return to the top after two defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, while Fury and Joshua are also rebuilding after losses to Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Their long-awaited meeting was confirmed in September following years of failed negotiations.
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