By Karim Hammam
Tyson Fury has delivered a scathing assessment of Deontay Wilder's decision to fight Jai Opetaia on the undercard of Fury's long-awaited heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua. The bout is scheduled for 11 December at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Wilder to face Opetaia in chief support
Wilder, 41, will take on unbeaten former cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, 31, who is moving up to heavyweight for the contest. The Australian represents a significant test for Wilder, who has struggled for form since his trilogy defeats to Fury.
Fury questions Wilder's continued career
"It's silly really, for Deontay's part," Fury told Fight Hype. "He should not be in the ring. It's a dying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he's shot to bits. He should never have fought again after I beat him the last time. That should have been the end of it."
Fury referenced Wilder's 2024 stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang and his recent points win over Derek Chisora, 42, in April. "Him and Chisora were shockingly terrible when they fought. Chisora is like 145 years old and he was taking Wilder's knockout power shots that are not there anymore," Fury added.
History between Fury and Wilder
The pair fought three times: a controversial draw in 2018, followed by Fury's stoppage victories in 2020 and 2021. The second fight saw Fury capture the WBC heavyweight title from Wilder, marking the American's first professional defeat.
Fury-Joshua showdown finally set
Fury, 38, and Joshua, 37, are both former two-time world heavyweight champions. Their meeting was confirmed in September after years of negotiation. Fury enters off a stoppage win over Mariusz Wach, 47, in July, while Joshua climbed off the canvas twice in round one to stop Kristian Prenga in round two one day later.
