Deontay Wilder says he would love Murat Gassiev fight despite Jai Opetaia deal report

The 41-year-old told the IBA there has been contact with the WBA heavyweight champion's team and that the pair have sparred, but no agreement has been announced.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 3 Nov, 06:06 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Deontay Wilder celebrating with his arm raised in the ring at The O2 Arena — Photo: IBA

Deontay Wilder says there has been contact between his team and that of WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev, while he is also expected to face Jai Opetaia on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

"There is some communication between me and Murat's team for sure, and I would love that. Out of all the choices, I would love for that one to go," Wilder told the International Boxing Association (IBA). "He's a great guy, a great champion. He's been to my camps before, and we've sparred."

Gassiev, a former cruiserweight, won the WBA belt by beating Kubrat Pulev in Dubai last year.

"Now I hope we can really get in the ring where it really counts. I would love that. But we'll see what happens. There are so many different moving pieces at this moment," Wilder said.

A source told boxing journalist Dan Rafael that a deal is in place for Wilder to face Opetaia on the 11 December card, although the contract has not yet been signed. It would be the first appearance at heavyweight for Opetaia, who has won all 31 of his professional fights.

Wilder's manager, Shelly Finkel, told Rafael that they had accepted an offer to face Opetaia as the co-feature to Fury vs Joshua, and that they had held talks about a Gassiev fight. Wilder beat Derek Chisora by split decision in April.

Asked why a fight with Oleksandr Usyk had not happened, Wilder pointed to money, while making clear what he had was second-hand. "He wants too much money. That's what I'm hearing," he said.

He also backed Daniel Dubois as a future unified champion. "I really like that kid. I like how he's developing and where he is now. He's still young and has a lot more room to develop. I could actually see him unifying. I really can," Wilder said.

Wilder said his legacy now matters more to him than belts or another payday, and that he has thought about "retiring at 50 as the champion".

"Boxing is boring and dead again in the heavyweight division, for sure. I brought it back once, and I'm going to do it again. Mark my words," he said.

In this story

Deontay Wilder Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua Oleksandr Usyk Daniel Dubois