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Fury vs AJ undercard: Jai Opetaia could become a global star with spectacular Deontay Wilder win, says Dana White
Jai Opetaia steps up to heavyweight for a bout against hard-punching former champion Deontay Wilder on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in Cardiff on December 11; "If he wins this fight spectacularly, everything is open and available to Jai Opetaia," promoter Dana White says
Tuesday 10 November 2026 18:49, UK
Jai Opetaia could become a global star if he defeats Deontay Wilder on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.
Opetaia, an elite cruiserweight, is stepping up to heavyweight for what could be a one-off bout in the division against the former world champion.
Wilder, who previously held the WBC heavyweight title, had a spectacular championship run that earned him the reputation as one of the hardest punchers the sport has ever seen.
Opetaia is already a force in the cruiserweight division and has continued to impressed.
But a victory over Wilder, especially if he wins in style, would take the Australian to a new level of fame.
"Imagine if on this Netflix card Opetaia knocks him out or wins this fight spectacularly, everything is open and available to Jai Opetaia," promoter Dana White told Sky Sports.
"He's one of these unique people who basically has an entire country behind him. He's got Australia and New Zealand. The more he wins, the higher profile fights he has, the bigger he becomes, not just there but all over the world. Everybody knows who Jai Opetaia is now."
Opetaia wants to remain active. "He's willing to fight all the time," White said. "That's the way you stay relevant, forget about making more money and all the stuff that's common sense, that's how you become a legend.
"We're sitting here and talking about Ray Robinson [boxing so frequently] and he did that. That's how you become a legend. Jai is one of those guys."
Oleksandr Usyk, an unbeaten undisputed champion at both heavyweight and cruiserweight, potentially returning to 200lbs creates a new dynamic for the division.
"There's a chance of working with everybody," White hinted, adding: "What does that tell you? It tells that that's the money division right now and Jai Opetaia is a part of it."
Vanhouter to box on Fury-AJ bill
Zuffa Boxing's 21-year-old heavyweight Da'Mazion Vanhouter dazzled again on Saturday when he took out Ivan Balaz with stunning speed.
White wants to keep Vanhouter busy and have him box in a month's time on the Fury-AJ undercard too.
"Is this kid the next great American heavyweight? And the answer seems to be yes right now," White said.
"He's another one turning around and fighting again quickly and I believe that [after Balaz] he'll probably be on the Cardiff card too.
"The truth of the matter is why would you not want to be on that card? That's the card you want to be on, especially if you're a heavyweight."
Watch Carlos Adames vs Gerome Warburton from 4pm live on Sky Sports Mix on Saturday.
