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Deontay Wilder Set to Face Undefeated KO Artist on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard

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"Deontay Wilder Set to Face Undefeated KO Artist on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard"

Deontay Wilder may return to the ring in 2026 according to a recent report.

The former WBC heavyweight world champion was last in action in April when he beat Derek Chisora by split decision – just the second points win of his career, the other 43 victories coming by way of knockout.

The performance allowed the hard-hitting American to show a grit and desire that perhaps hadn’t been witnessed since his trilogy with Tyson Fury, and was particularly absent in losses to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, in which he looked tentative and gun-shy.

Despite being strongly linked with former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk as the Ukrainian’s final opponent before retirement, it appears that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ could now build on that Chisora win by facing Jai Opetaia on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua this December, as reported by Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger.

The Cardiff mega fight will be broadcast live on Netflix, and those behind the scenes are understood to be building a card that will attract a global audience. Manny Pacquiao, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Keyshawn Davis have all been named as potential additions.

Like Wilder, Opetaia has recently been linked with a major fight of his own. The two-time cruiserweight champion has made no secret of his desire to fight David Benavidezwho may have three of the four major belts if he beats Mikael Cieslak in December.

This fight would see the Aussie move up to heavyweight for the first time in his career – a jump he has always said will happen, but only after his work is done at 200lbs. With Wilder being a relatively light heavyweight – weighing in as low as 212lbs for his first fight against Fury – it may be a perfect introduction to the division for Opetaia, though he will be aware that the American can hit harder than most of his contemporaries.

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Boxing

Jermall Charlo Withdraws from Fundora vs Hadribeaj Show Due to Injury

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Jermall Charlo Withdraws from Fundora vs Hadribeaj Show Due to Injury

This marks the second time in three months that the matchup fell apart, as Charlo (34-0, 23 KO) failed to secure a visa for their planned clash in New South Wales this summer. Despite Mazoudier’s (16-4-1, 6 KO) local appeal being its sole selling point, PBC shunted it onto their Sebastian Fundora vs Ermal Hadribeaj show in Las Vegas, but it seems no amount of Charlo-proofing can get the big guy into the ring.

For those keeping score, he’s now had three fights in six years.

In steps former WBA titlist Jose Armando Resendiz (16-3, 11 KO), who upset Caleb Plant for the belt last year before losing it to Jaime Munguia in his inaugural defense. It’s still not a good matchup, as Mazoudier is a blown-up super welterweight, but Resendiz is usually a middleweight himself and is coming off a loss. I can live with that.

The evening’s other undercard bout, Brandon Figueroa’s featherweight title defense against Tomoki Kameda, remains intact.

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Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson Agree on Catchweight for Anticipated Super Fight

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"Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson Agree on Catchweight for Anticipated Super Fight"

The long-awaited clash between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson is closer than ever after the two rivals finally verbally agreed to a catchweight overnight.

​Negotiations for the blockbuster bout had previously stalled over the contracted limit, unsurprising given the difference in their recent career trajectories. Haney has now established himself at 147lbs, capturing the WBO welterweight world title last November with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh. He was, at one stage, insistent on a bona fide 147lb clash if he was to face Stevenson.

​Stevenson, meanwhile, has only just arrived at 140lbs. The Newark southpaw officially became a four-weight world champion in January when he put on a masterclass to thoroughly outpoint Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. Despite his flawless transition to super-lightweight, Stevenson had been heavily pushing for a much lower 144lb catchweight against Haney, leading to a bitter public stalemate. Haney also hit back at attempts to include a rehydration clause.

​The obstacle appeared to he finally overcome during a late-night exchange on X when Stevenson publicly accepted Haney’s counter-offer to meet in the middle at 145lbs.

​Confirming the newly proposed limit, Stevenson said: “You got a deal.”

​Crucially, there was no mention of the rehydration clause that Haney had previously urged Stevenson to drop. The absence of that stipulation in the overnight exchange suggests that secondary hurdle may also have been quietly cleared.

​While anything official may be days or weeks away the public compromise removes the biggest stated obstacle to the fight. Both men are coming off career-defining championship victories, and with the weight dispute seemingly resolved, the pressure is now firmly on both camps to put pen to paper and deliver one of the most significant fights in US boxing.

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Boxing

Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson Reach Deal on Catchweight for Super Fight

Published

on

"Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson Reach Deal on Catchweight for Super Fight"

The long-awaited clash between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson is closer than ever after the two rivals finally verbally agreed to a catchweight overnight.

​Negotiations for the blockbuster bout had previously stalled over the contracted limit, unsurprising given the difference in their recent career trajectories. Haney has now established himself at 147lbs, capturing the WBO welterweight world title last November with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh. He was, at one stage, insistent on a bona fide 147lb clash if he was to face Stevenson.

​Stevenson, meanwhile, has only just arrived at 140lbs. The Newark southpaw officially became a four-weight world champion in January when he put on a masterclass to thoroughly outpoint Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. Despite his flawless transition to super-lightweight, Stevenson had been heavily pushing for a much lower 144lb catchweight against Haney, leading to a bitter public stalemate. Haney also hit back at attempts to include a rehydration clause.

​The obstacle appeared to he finally overcome during a late-night exchange on X when Stevenson publicly accepted Haney’s counter-offer to meet in the middle at 145lbs.

​Confirming the newly proposed limit, Stevenson said: “You got a deal.”

​Crucially, there was no mention of the rehydration clause that Haney had previously urged Stevenson to drop. The absence of that stipulation in the overnight exchange suggests that secondary hurdle may also have been quietly cleared.

​While anything official may be days or weeks away the public compromise removes the biggest stated obstacle to the fight. Both men are coming off career-defining championship victories, and with the weight dispute seemingly resolved, the pressure is now firmly on both camps to put pen to paper and deliver one of the most significant fights in US boxing.

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