Deontay Wilder could be set for a high-profile return to the ring on one of the biggest nights in modern boxing history, with the hard-punching American eyeing a place on the undercard of the long-awaited, much-anticipated all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The historic domestic showdown between Fury and Joshua is scheduled to take place at the Principality Stadium, capturing the attention of the global sports world. While the main event promises to settle a long-standing rivalry at the very pinnacle of the heavyweight division, the supporting cast is quickly shaping up to be equally compelling, with Wilder actively targeting a fight against elite cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
Promoter Dana White confirmed to Sky Sports that discussions are well underway to add the undefeated Australian standout to the December 11 card. "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."
Should the matchup be finalized, it would mark a significant milestone for Opetaia, representing his first high-level heavyweight fight. The unbeaten Australian has carved out a fearsome reputation as a dominant force at cruiserweight, displaying exceptional skill, speed, and finishing instincts inside the 200lb division. However, stepping up to heavyweight to face an opponent with the legendary punching power of Wilder presents a completely unique and formidable challenge.
Wilder, now 40 years old, remains one of the most feared punchers in boxing history. Even as the former WBC heavyweight champion enters the veteran stage of his career, his trademark right hand retains the capability to change a fight in a single fraction of a second. His enduring reputation as a devastating knockout artist means that any opponent standing across the ring from him faces immediate peril, regardless of weight class or prior experience.
Acknowledging the immense risks involved for his fighter, White emphasized Opetaia’s fearless mindset and willingness to test himself against the absolute best. "The guy’s willing to fight anybody," White told Sky Sports. "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."
For Opetaia, a foray into the heavyweight division would be a temporary detour before returning to his natural weight class to pursue his ultimate career goals. Opetaia and David Benavidez are widely regarded as the two elite fighters currently operating in the 200lb weight class, and a future collision between the two remains a primary objective for the Australian’s team. Benavidez has established himself as a dominant presence, and a bout against him sits at the very top of Opetaia’s wishlist.
"That’s the fight he really wants. He wants that fight so we’ve got to figure that one out," White explained, shedding light on his fighter’s immediate and long-term ambitions. "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."
Wilder’s potential inclusion on the Fury-Joshua undercard adds yet another layer of intrigue to an event already steeped in heavyweight drama. The Alabama native’s career has been defined by some of the most memorable chapters in recent boxing history, most notably his unforgettable, grueling trilogy of fights against Tyson Fury. Following those epic encounters, Wilder came tantalizingly close to finalizing a massive showdown with Anthony Joshua, only for those plans to be derailed by a subsequent defeat to Joseph Parker.
Rather than stepping away from the sport, the veteran puncher has continued to test himself against top-tier competition. In his most recent outing back in April, Wilder demonstrated his durability and competitive grit by battling to a hard-earned points victory over seasoned British contender Derek Chisora at The O2 in London. That performance proved that the former world champion still possesses the competitive drive required to mix it with elite fighters on the global stage.
As promoters finalize the details for the December 11 mega-card at the Principality Stadium, the potential addition of Wilder versus Opetaia transforms an already monumental event into an absolute must-watch festival of boxing. With Opetaia stepping up to test his mettle against one of the division’s most terrifying punchers, and Fury and Joshua finally settling their historic rivalry in the main event, fight fans can look forward to a truly unforgettable night of action in Cardiff.
