Deontay Wilder could be poised for a high-profile return to the ring, with the hard-punching former world heavyweight champion eyeing a place on the undercard of the upcoming Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua blockbuster clash scheduled for December 11 at the Principality Stadium.
The long-awaited, much-anticipated all-British heavyweight showdown between Fury and Joshua already promises to be one of the defining events of the boxing calendar. However, the addition of a compelling supporting bout featuring Wilder and undefeated Australian standout Jai Opetaia would undoubtedly elevate the fight card to unprecedented heights.
Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion, is reportedly targeting a matchup against Opetaia, an elite and dominant force within the cruiserweight division who is now considering a dramatic, high-level step up into the heavyweight ranks. Dana White, who promotes Opetaia, has confirmed that discussions are actively underway to secure the pairing for the December 11 pay-per-view extravaganza.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, White provided insight into the ongoing negotiations and the ambition driving the Australian champion. "Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard," White said. "Wilder is one that we’ve been talking about and working on."
For Opetaia, stepping into the heavyweight division to face a puncher of Wilder’s historic reputation represents a monumental challenge. While Opetaia has established himself as a dominant and undefeated force at cruiserweight, showcasing his spiteful combinations and devastating finishing ability in recent victories—such as his ninth-round stoppage over Noel Mikaelian and his sixth-round dismantling of Jack Massey—he has yet to test his skills at the highest level of heavyweight boxing.
Despite the obvious risks, White emphasized that Opetaia possesses the fearless mentality of a true fighting champion. "The guy’s willing to fight anybody," White said of his charge. "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."
Wilder, who is now 40 years old, remains one of the most feared punchers in boxing history. Even as he enters the twilight of his career, the American’s trademark right hand retains the devastating power that defined his lengthy reign as a world champion and earned him a legendary status in the sport. Wilder’s career has been marked by unforgettable chapters, most notably his epic, pulse-pounding trilogy of fights against Tyson Fury. For years, a collision between Wilder and Anthony Joshua hovered over the heavyweight division as one of the most desired fights in boxing, though that specific pairing ultimately failed to materialize following Wilder’s subsequent defeat to Joseph Parker.
Instead of fading into retirement following setbacks at the elite level, Wilder has continued to demonstrate his durability and competitive desire. In his most recent outing back in April, Wilder battled through a hard-fought contest to secure a points victory over British contender Derek Chisora at The O2 in London, proving that he still possesses the competitive fire required to compete on the major global stage.
Should the fight against Opetaia be finalized for December 11, it would present a fascinating stylistic and tactical clash. Wilder brings unmatched one-punch knockout power and imposing physical stature, while Opetaia offers exceptional speed, technical mastery, high-volume punch combinations, and the youthful ambition of an undefeated champion eager to test his limits against boxing royalty.
Despite the allure of a heavyweight foray against Wilder, Opetaia’s long-term competitive roadmap remains firmly anchored in the 200-pound division. Alongside fellow standout David Benavidez, Opetaia is widely regarded as one of the two premier fighters in the cruiserweight weight class. A future unification or superfight against Benavidez remains Opetaia’s ultimate target and the primary focus of his career trajectory.
According to White, Opetaia’s willingness to take on a dangerous heavyweight like Wilder stems simply from an old-school desire to stay active and challenge himself against the very best, regardless of the weight class or the potential risks involved.
"That’s the fight he really wants. He wants that fight so we’ve got to figure that one out," White said regarding the prospective matchup against Benavidez. At the same time, he reiterated Opetaia’s eagerness to step into the ring in the interim. "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."
As promoters work behind the scenes to finalize the supporting cast for the Fury-Joshua mega-fight at the Principality Stadium, a potential collision between Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to an already historic night of boxing.