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Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card: Deontay Wilder vs Jai Opetaia deal reported

The bout has been agreed but not yet signed, boxing journalist Dan Rafael said, and would be unbeaten Australian Opetaia's heavyweight debut on the Cardiff bill on 11 December.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
wilder vs opetaia graphic
Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Deontay Wilder could return on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card in Cardiff on 11 December, with boxing journalist Dan Rafael reporting that a deal is in place for him to face Jai Opetaia. A source told Rafael the agreement has been reached, although the contract has not yet been signed.

The fight would put Wilder on the same bill as Fury, who knocked him out twice, the first of those wins coming when Wilder was WBC champion. Fury and Joshua meet with the WBA belt on the line, as both approach 40 and with each having lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk.

Wilder has lost to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang before beating Derek Chisora in his most recent run of fights.

Opetaia, who has won all 31 of his professional fights, would be making his first appearance at heavyweight after long talking about moving up from cruiserweight. The Australian has twice held the IBF title and has beaten Mairis Briedis twice, along with Jack Massey and Ellis Zorro.

The IBF stripped him of its belt earlier this year after he took an unsanctioned fight against Brandon Glanton, his first contest since signing with Zuffa Boxing, and he is now in a legal battle with the governing body. He stopped Noel Mikaelian in September to win the WBA regular title.

In this story
Tyson FuryAnthony JoshuaDeontay WilderOleksandr Usyk
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