Deontay Wilder agrees deal to face Jai Opetaia on Fury-Joshua undercard

A deal has reportedly been reached for Deontay Wilder to fight cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, according to Bloody Elbow. The report has not been officially confirmed. The card is set for December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The fight is expected to take place at heavyweight, with Opetaia moving up from the 200-pound cruiserweight limit. Opetaia holds the Ring Magazine, WBA Regular and Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight titles.

Wilder is 41 years old and returned to the ring earlier this year, beating Derek Chisora by split decision in a Misfits Boxing main event. If the matchup goes ahead, it would be his next appearance after that win.

The main event features two of the best-known names in British boxing. Fury, a 38-year-old from England, carries a record of 36-2-1 and fights out of an orthodox stance. At six-foot-nine with an 85-inch reach, he is the taller man by three inches, and holds a three-inch reach advantage, over Joshua, who is six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach. Joshua, 37, is a United Kingdom native who trains with Boxing Works and Team GB. Our records list his mark as 0-0-0, which does not reflect his career in the ring.

Why it matters

• Size: a champion stepping up from 200 pounds to face a heavyweight with Wilder's frame and power is a significant jump in weight class.
• Age: Wilder, at 41, is three years older than Fury and four older than Joshua, making him the oldest man on the reported card's top bouts.
• Platform: a Wilder fight on a Fury-Joshua undercard would give a major stage to a bout that could otherwise headline its own event.

Neither fighter's team has publicly confirmed the agreement, and details such as the exact weight, title implications and broadcast arrangements have not been reported. Until the card is formally announced, the matchup remains a report rather than a done deal.