Deontay Wilder Being Lined Up to Fight Jai Opetaia

Fans who like to stay in the bar until the main event at boxing matches, may be persuaded to take their seats earlier at the Fury vs AJ fight on December 11th.

If reports that Deontay Wilder is heading to Wales are true, fans won't want to miss him. He may no longer be the force he once was, but he is still a huge name in the heavyweight division. He will never be forgotten for his string of epic knockouts and the blockbuster trilogy with Tyson Fury.

The fans will be happy to see the Bronze Bomber in person against anyone, but it looks like he could be up against one of the biggest current stars of world boxing, the undefeated cruiserweight champion from Australia, Jai Opetaia.

There has been talk for some time of Jai moving up to heavyweight, where the real money is. So what better stage for his arrival than Cardiff's Principality Stadium, on the night of the biggest fight in British boxing history?

But it's not just the Brits who will be tuning in that night. Anticipation for the fight has crossed the Pond, and I would not be surprised if Netflix records for viewing figures were smashed.

Wilder will be keen to demonstrate that his power can still make him relevant in today's heavyweight scene. A win over the undefeated Opetaia would potentially set up a fight with the winner of Fury and AJ in the main event. That prospect would be particularly enticing if Joshua were to emerge victorious, because Wilder vs AJ is a fight that boxing fans demanded for years. 

Just as with Fury and AJ, it would be better late than never.

Conversely, a win for Opetaia in his heavyweight debut could provide him with a fast track to heavyweight title contention. The WBO sometimes confers mandatory status upon champions coming up from a lower division. This is how Oleksandr Usyk got his shot at AJ in only his second fight at heavyweight.

A victory over Wilder would allow Opetaia to make a strong case for similar treatment.

Some may say that Opetaia's small size will be a problem for him at heavyweight. But Wilder himself, despite being 6'7, has weighed as little as 210 pounds.

Wilder is still a decent fighter, as he showed in his recent win against Derek Chisora. But the snap and timing that made his right hand such a feared weapon has largely deserted him.

I think Opetaia is far too lively for Wilder and would pound him into submission in the later rounds.