Tyson Fury takes on Anthony Joshua in Cardiff on December 11 with the WBA belt on the line, and the undercard could now feature a former heavyweight champion making his latest return.
Joshua and Fury have been on a collision course for years and finally come together as they fast approach 40, and with neither of them holding a belt after both being beaten twice by Oleksandr Usyk.
The best fights of Fury’s career will always be his two KO victories over Deontay Wilder, the then WBC champion and fearsome knockout artist who has not reached those heights again following the Fury defeats.
He has lost to both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang before beating Derek Chisora, but could now be back in action in December against a tough opponent making his debut in the division, according to a new post on X from boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
“News: Per source, while it’s not signed yet, deal is agreed to for Wilder-Opetaia to be on the #FuryJoshua card. #boxing”
Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia is so far undefeated in all 31 of his professional fights to date. He is a two-time world IBF ruler, though he is currently in a legal battle with that governing body after they stripped him of his title earlier this year for taking an unsanctioned fight against Brandon Glanton in what was his first contest after signing a deal with Zuffa Boxing.
Opetaia has beaten the likes of Mairis Briedis twice, Jack Massey and Ellis Zorro and had long talked of moving up to the heavyweight division.
Last time out in September he stopped Noel Mikaelian to win the WBA regular title, and would likely prove a handful for Wilder at this stage in his career if the two are to meet.
