Deontay Wilder next fight now official as he faces former champion on Fury vs Joshua card

Sheldan Keay

Deontay Wilder next fight now official as he faces former champion on Fury vs Joshua card
Image credit: PBC

Deontay Wilder‘s return to the ring on the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua undercard has been officially announced.

The former WBC heavyweight champion was last in action back in April when he claimed a split decision victory over Derek Chisora at The O2 Arena in London.

It saw Wilder make it back to back wins after his seventh round stoppage against Tyrrell Herndon in June 2025, following a poor run of form that saw ‘The Bronze Bomber’ lose four of his last five contests before that.

Since the triumph against Chisora, Wilder had been linked to a clash with heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, but after that bout failed to materialise, it has now been confirmed that the American will meet Jai Opetaia on the Fury vs. Joshua bill next month.

Opetaia is a two-time IBF cruiserweight champion, but has lost the belt on both occasions outside of the ring, the latest of those coming after a dispute with the governing body earlier this year saw him stripped of the title after his signing with Zuffa Boxing.

Despite no longer holding a world title, Opetaia is still regarded as one of the best cruiserweights in the world, and after his ninth round stoppage win over Noel Mikaelian in September, he currently holds an unbeaten record of 31-0.

He will now step up to heavyweight for the clash against Wilder at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11, and even though he will be heading into a new weight class, the Australian is still set to be seen as a big favourite.

A victory for Opetaia could set up a huge showdown at cruiserweight against David Benavidez in 2027, but ‘The Mexican Monster’ may also be about to turn his attention to a clash with Usyk next year, after the Ukrainian announced his plans to return to 200lbs.

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