Deontay Wilder is being lined up for a heavyweight showdown against unbeaten cruiserweight Jai Opetaia on the undercard of the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua heavyweight blockbuster on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The proposed matchup between the hard-punching former world heavyweight champion and the elite Australian fighter remains under negotiation, though it has not yet been officially confirmed for the bill. According to The Ring, the bout is being explored as a potential co-feature attraction.
Dana White, who promotes Opetaia, outlined the status of negotiations with Sky Sports:
Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard. [Wilder] is one that we've been talking about and working on.
Should the fight materialise, it would mark Opetaia's first high-level heavyweight contest. The undefeated Australian has established himself as a dominant force at cruiserweight, most recently securing a ninth-round stoppage of Norair Mikaeljan on September 12, 2026.
Wilder, now 40 years old, remains a formidable opponent despite his advancing years. The former WBC champion is still renowned for his devastating knockout power, having recently defeated British contender Derek Chisora on points at The O2 in London in April.
White emphasised Opetaia's willingness to take on any challenger, regardless of weight class or opponent pedigree.
The guy's willing to fight anybody. It's a very dangerous fight for him considering where he sits in his division right now. But he's a fighter; he'll fight anybody, even at heavyweight with a guy who hits as hard as Wilder does.
The Australian is expected to return to cruiserweight after a potential heavyweight excursion.
He wants to stay active, he wants to fight and he doesn't care if it's at heavyweight or wherever, he's ready to go,White added.
Opetaia's long-term ambition remains a showdown with fellow cruiserweight elite David Benavidez, widely regarded as the division's two best fighters at 200 pounds.
That's the fight he really wants. He wants that fight so we've got to figure that one out,White said of the Benavidez clash.
According to Boxing News Online, Wilder's previously reported negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk have now stalled, with the Opetaia opportunity emerging as a viable alternative for the veteran heavyweight.
Benavidez is scheduled to defend his position against WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on December 5, meaning a potential future Opetaia-Benavidez matchup would not be affected by the proposed Wilder bout.
Wilder's recent history includes an epic trilogy with Tyson Fury and a near-miss opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, though he ultimately suffered defeat to Joseph Parker.
What comes next
The Fury-Joshua event is officially scheduled for December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with the fight set to stream globally on Netflix. According to the BBC, the exact start time has not yet been announced, with organisers considering a late kickoff to accommodate US audiences.
The main event itself has faced some uncertainty due to contractual disagreements, though the fixture remains officially confirmed for the Welsh capital.
