Former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and undefeated cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia have agreed to face each other in a head-to-head bout. According to journalist Dan Rafael, cited by Sport RBC.UA, the parties have already agreed on the fight as part of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua boxing card, although an official contract has not yet been signed.
What Is Known About the Agreement
According to Rafael, the key condition — holding the fight on the undercard of the main event — has already been agreed upon by both parties. At the same time, formal documentation of the agreement is currently absent: the contract remains unsigned, meaning the fight could still fall through or be moved to another date. Nevertheless, the very fact of negotiations at the 'parties have agreed' level is confirmed by the source, making the bout one of the most likely candidates for the December event schedule.
Context for Wilder: Impasse in Talks with Usyk
For the American, this bout serves as a way to reassert himself against the backdrop of failed negotiations to face Oleksandr Usyk. It was previously reported that Usyk and Wilder nearly agreed to a bout in 2027, but the deal fell through. Under these conditions, a fight with Opetaia looks like a viable option, allowing Wilder to return to the spotlight and maintain relevance in both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.
Fighters' Form and Statuses
Deontay Wilder last stepped into the ring in April, defeating Dereck Chisora (36-14, 23 KOs) by a split decision. This victory was crucial for the American after a series of poor results and helped restore his confidence ahead of new negotiations. Jai Opetaia, meanwhile, fought last in September: the Australian defeated Noel Gevor Mikaelyan (28-4, 12 KOs) by technical knockout and retained his undefeated status, remaining the reigning cruiserweight champion.
The Main Event: Fury vs. Joshua in Cardiff
The main event of the Cardiff boxing card on December 11 will be the showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. At stake in this bout will be the special 'Battle of Britain' belt and the WBA Super title. According to Rafael, it is around this fight that the undercard is being built, which will likely include the meeting between Wilder and Opetaia.
What's Next
The next step will be the signing of the official contract: until it is finalized, the bout remains at the agreement-in-principle stage. If the papers are signed, Wilder and Opetaia will step into the ring on the undercard of the Cardiff event, making the fight one of the most anticipated supporting bouts of December.
