Deontay Wilder to Face Jai Opetaia on Fury–Joshua Card

Cardiff, Wales, UK - Deontay Wilder will face Jai Opetaia at heavyweight on December 11 at Principality Stadium, giving the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua card a supporting bout with plenty of intrigue of its own.

The former WBC champion meets an unbeaten Australian who has built his reputation at cruiserweight. Opetaia’s speed and combination punching offer a different challenge for Wilder; the American’s right hand makes this a dangerous first step into heavyweight company.

Wilder gets a fresh test

Wilder is 45-4-1 (43 KOs), having edged Derek Chisora by split decision in April. He put Chisora down twice in a rough, untidy fight at The O2, but had to work through twelve rounds to secure his second consecutive win.

At 41 by fight night, Wilder is well removed from the WBC reign that made him one of the division’s biggest names. The power is still his calling card. Against a quicker southpaw, he will need to create room for it rather than simply wait for an opening.

Opetaia moves into bigger company

Opetaia brings a 31-0 record with 24 knockouts. He stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round in September, another strong result at cruiserweight. Wilder presents a different problem: greater reach, heavyweight power and the risk that one mistake can undo several good rounds.

The Australian has the footwork to make Wilder turn and the combinations to keep him occupied. Whether he can do that while staying clear of the right hand is the question that gives this fight its appeal.

A win would give Opetaia a notable heavyweight scalp. For Wilder, beating an unbeaten fighter of this quality would carry more weight than another routine comeback assignment.

Fury and Joshua headline the Netflix event. Visit our Fury–Joshua Fight Page for the latest card and viewing information.