Jai Opetaia will move up from cruiserweight to face former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a 12-round co-main event on the Dec. 11 Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua card in Cardiff, Wales. The matchup pits the undefeated Australian against one of boxing’s most powerful punchers.

By the Numbers
  • Opetaia: 31-0, with 24 knockouts.
  • Wilder: 45-4-1, with 43 knockouts.
  • The fighters have 67 knockouts combined.
  • Wilder, 41, has a 4-inch height and 7-inch reach advantage over 31-year-old Opetaia.
Yes, But

Opetaia is unbeaten and regarded as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters, but he’ll be stepping up in weight and giving up significant size. Wilder’s knockout power makes the matchup dangerous, though he has lost four times and is coming off a recent stretch that included defeats to top contenders.

State of Play
  • The bout is set for 12 rounds on the Fury–Joshua undercard at Principality Stadium.
  • The event will air worldwide on Netflix.
  • Wilder has rebounded with two wins, most recently a split-decision victory over Derek Chisora in April.
What's Next

The December fight will test whether Opetaia’s skills can carry over to heavyweight—and whether Wilder can turn his size and punching power into a major win.

Bottom Line

This is a high-risk, high-reward clash: Opetaia gets a chance to make an immediate impact at heavyweight, while Wilder faces an undefeated opponent who could revive his standing with a win.