Aussie champ’s heavyweight bombshell as massive bout teased for Fury–AJ blockbuster

Australia’s Jai Opetaia could make his move into heavyweight boxing against one of the most feared punchers the division has ever produced.

A potential showdown between the Aussie cruiserweight champ and former heavyweight kingpin Deontay Wilder is reportedly being explored for the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua undercard in Cardiff.

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According to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, discussions are taking place about adding the fight to the December 11 (December 12 AEDT) blockbuster.

The bout has not been confirmed, but would give Opetaia a marquee opponent straight away if he steps up in weight.

And he wouldn’t be easing his way in by any means.

Wilder’s right hand made him one of boxing’s biggest attractions, while a meeting with Opetaia would pit the American’s explosive power against the Australian’s speed, movement and sharp southpaw attack.

For Opetaia, it would be a chance to make an immediate statement against a huge name on a card watched around the world.

Fury and Joshua’s long-awaited meeting will take place at Principality Stadium and will be broadcast globally. Adding Opetaia against Wilder would give fans Down Under another big reason to tune in.

But the potential move comes with the Aussie still chasing unfinished business at cruiserweight.

Opetaia has repeatedly made clear that becoming undisputed remains his goal, despite a frustrating run of obstacles to securing unification fights.

He stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round in September, but the WBC belt was not on the line after the sanctioning body declared that Mikaelian had been stripped before the fight.

That followed Opetaia losing his IBF title over his March fight with Brandon Glanton.

“I’m chasing the belts,” Opetaia told The Ring last month.

“I’ve been chasing these unification fights for so long.”

There is another twist, too, with David Benavidez declaring he will chase Oleksandr Usyk if his planned showdown with Opetaia falls through.

The cruiserweight rivals have been targeting a clash over Cinco de Mayo weekend next year, but Benavidez says he has another huge name in mind if they cannot get a deal done.

“If we can’t get that fight on Cinco de Mayo with Jai Opetaia, then we’ll do Usyk,” Benavidez told Inside The Ring.

‘The Mexican Monster’ first faces Michal Cieslak in December, when he will attempt to add the WBC cruiserweight title to his WBA and WBO belts.

A win could leave three major titles on the table for an Opetaia showdown, giving the Aussie a chance to take a huge step towards his long-held goal.

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Opetaia has also made it very clear he does not want to sit around waiting until May to fight again, saying he wants another bout before then.

Wilder, meanwhile, has already shown this year that he can still win a gruelling heavyweight contest.

The American edged Derek Chisora by split decision at London’s O2 Arena in April, improving his record to 45 wins, four losses and a draw, with 43 KO’s.