Deontay Wilder eyes massive December return as two potential options emerge

Deontay Wilder for many years, was the most feared heavyweight in boxing. His right hand was considered the most potent equalizer, and his fight record proved that for many years. “The Bronze Bomber” was last seen in action earlier this year, beating Derek Chisora by split decision. Since then the Alabama native has been linked with a fight against Oleksandr Usyk. It now appears that option is off the table, with his manager Shelly Finkel revealing two potential opponents when talking to Dan Rafael at Fight Freaks Unite.

Deontay Wilder: Two options emerge as his next opponent

Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) had seemed likely to be facing Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) next, but Finkel revealed the reason why that fight could not be finalised:

“Usyk asked for more money than Zuffa or Turki (Alalshikh) wanted to pay,” Wilder manager Shelly Finkel told Fight Freaks Unite.

With the Usyk fight now seemingly not a possibility, Finkel revealed to Dan Rafael that Turki Alalshikh’s team recently contacted him to discuss the possibility of “The Bronze Bomber” facing Jai Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) at heavyweight, with the intention of the bout being in the co-feature of the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua December 11 showdown in Cardiff.

Talking about those discussions, Finkel told Rafael: “I’ve had conversations and I’m waiting for them to get back to me about Dec. 11.”

“All things being equal Deontay would like to fight (WBA titleholder Murat) Gassiev. When I brought it to the people at Zuffa and with Turki they said they weren’t interested. They were interested in Deontay against Opetaia and I said, ‘Fine. This is what we’re looking for.’ We went back and forth and they said OK to a number but I haven’t heard back from them so we are also talking to Gassiev’s people,” added Finkel.

The Big Fight Weekend verdict on Deontay Wilder

Wilder’s win over Chisora was not pretty. “A slobberknocker” is the best way to describe it. Wilder ultimately got his hand raised and deservedly so. His right hand was feared by many and he scored some viral knockouts before his taxing trilogy with Tyson Fury, where he lost two and drew one. Since that final loss to Fury in 2021, he has suffered two losses against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. It remains to be seen just how much he has left, but Opetaia will definitely give us those answers.

Opetaia is an exceptional boxer, who carries plenty of power and belief. He most recently stopped former two-time WBC cruiserweight titleholder Noel Mikaelian, a fight that impressed us at BFW. We felt Jai dominated the distance and tempo of the fight throughout, and was always in control.

Whether Deontay Wilder faces Opetaia, or ultimately decides to face WBA titleholder Gassiev (34-2, 27 KOs), “The Bronze Bomber” still has plenty of questions to answer, but either option is a tough fight for him, especially at 40 years old.

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Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing