Tyson Fury issues damning verdict on Deontay Wilder fight on Anthony Joshua undercard
Tyson Fury has issued a damning verdict on the chief-support bout for his clash with Anthony Joshua, as Deontay Wilder prepares to box Jai Opetaia.
On 11 December, Fury will fight Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, in a long-awaited British heavyweight duel. And on Wednesday, it was announced that Wilder will star on the undercard, taking on Opetaia.
Opetaia, 31, is an unbeaten former cruiserweight champion, and the Australian will move up to heavyweight to face Wilder, a past rival of Fury.
Wilder, 41, secured a controversial draw with Fury in 2018 before suffering stoppage losses in their 2020 rematch and 2021 trilogy fight. The second result saw Fury take the WBC heavyweight title from the American, as Wilder was beaten for the first time.
The defeats by Fury marked a downturn in form for Wilder, but he will enter Cardiff on the back of a points win over Derek Chisora in April.
“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. But, needs must…
“If you are getting knocked out by people you should have knocked out yourself…” Fury continued, seemingly referencing Wilder’s 2024 stoppage by Zhilei Zhang.
“Him and Chisora were shockingly terrible when they fought. Chisora is like 145 years old [42] and he was taking Wilder’s knockout power shots that are not there anymore. It is a shame, because if you want to match them five years ago, it would not have lasted one round.
“It is a hard thing to walk away from. We have seen so many of the greats come back, for whatever reason, over the years – usually financial reasons. It’s a sad state."
Wilder and Joshua were also linked for many years, and they were closest to fighting each other in early 2024. The pair shared a fight card in December 2023, and they were due to face each other next if both won. “AJ” stopped Otto Wallin, but Wilder was outpointed by Joseph Parker.
Fury, 38, was also an elusive opponent for Joshua, 37, until September’s announcement that they will finally square off.
The pair are both former two-time world heavyweight champions. Fury will enter their fight on the back of a stoppage win over Mariusz Wach, 47, in July; one day later, Joshua climbed off the canvas twice in round one to stop Kristian Prenga in round two.