Deontay Wilder Set for Potential Fury-Joshua Undercard Clash in Cardiff
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has reportedly accepted an offer to face former two-time world champion Jai Opetaia on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s proposed showdown with Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, Wales.
According to Boxing News, citing veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael, Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, confirmed that the American has accepted the offer, although the fight is still awaiting confirmation.
The proposed contest is scheduled for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where Fury and Joshua are expected to headline a highly anticipated heavyweight event.
Wilder, 40, is coming off a split-decision victory over Derek Chisora in April, having knocked down the British heavyweight twice during their turbulent encounter.
The former champion had previously been linked with a potential fight against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. However, plans for the proposed Zuffa Boxing headliner were subsequently abandoned, leaving Wilder exploring alternative opponents.
Opetaia has emerged as a possible next challenge for the American. The Australian cruiserweight recently recorded a ninth-round stoppage victory over Noel Mikaelian, extending his unbeaten record.
The proposed matchup would represent a significant change in weight class for Opetaia, who has established himself among the leading fighters at cruiserweight.
Rafael reported that Finkel had confirmed Wilder’s acceptance of the offer while revealing that the American’s team had also held discussions about a potential fight against WBA regular heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev.
The Gassiev option remains another possibility as Wilder considers his next move.
Although Fury versus Joshua is expected to headline the Cardiff event, the proposed Wilder-Opetaia contest would add another major name to the undercard if the agreement is finalised.
For now, the fight remains subject to confirmation, with Wilder having reportedly accepted the offer and the parties awaiting a final decision on whether the matchup will proceed.
