Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia to Clash in Cardiff
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will face undefeated cruiserweight titleholder Jai Opetaia on December 11, 2026. The bout is scheduled for the undercard of the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua main event at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The entire fight card will stream exclusively on Netflix.
Opetaia, who holds a 31-0 record with 21 knockouts, is moving up from the cruiserweight division to challenge the veteran heavyweight. Opetaia secured the IBF cruiserweight title in 2022 and has maintained his undefeated status since. In his most recent outing, Opetaia defeated Norair Mikaeljan in Las Vegas, though the IBF title was not on the line for that matchup.
Wilder Returns to the Heavyweight Stage
Deontay Wilder enters this contest with a professional record of 45-4-1, including 43 knockouts. The 41-year-old held the WBC heavyweight title for five years, reigning from 2015 to 2020. Wilder is currently riding a two-fight winning streak, having secured victories over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon and, most recently, a split-decision win against Derek Chisora in April.
Regarding his preparation for the upcoming December date, Wilder stated, “Don’t let the smile fool you, the weapon still works! Years in the game and the hunger still feels like day one every round left something in me and took something from me but through every victory, every setback, and every scar. The warrior remained! Some people train to get ready; warriors stay ready.”
Fury and Joshua Headline the Netflix Event
The event at Principality Stadium positions two of boxing’s most prominent heavyweight figures, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, in the headline spot. While the Wilder-Opetaia matchup is an undercard bout confirmed by Netflix, further bouts are expected to be announced as the date approaches.
Questions About Watching the Fight and Opetaia's Move
Where can fans watch the Wilder versus Opetaia fight?
The entire event, including the Fury vs. Joshua main event and the undercard, will be broadcast live exclusively on Netflix.
Has Jai Opetaia fought at the heavyweight limit before?
No, Opetaia has campaigned as a cruiserweight, where he won the IBF title in 2022. This fight marks his move up to the heavyweight division to face Wilder.
What is the current status of the undercard?
As of now, the Wilder vs. Opetaia bout is an undercard announcement. Organizers expect to reveal additional matchups in the lead-up to the December 11 event.
The December 11 date at Principality Stadium comes as Wilder looks to extend his current winning streak against an opponent who has remained unbeaten since winning the IBF cruiserweight title in 2022.