Wilder to face Opetaia on Fury-Joshua undercard in Cardiff

Wilder and Opetaia join Fury-Joshua Cardiff card

Deontay Wilder will face unbeaten Jai Opetaia in the co-main event of Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Dec. 11, organizers announced. BBC reported that the WBA “super” heavyweight title will be on the line in the main event.

Opetaia, 31, will make his heavyweight debut after going 31-0 as a professional and winning world titles at cruiserweight. Wilder, 41, held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and has 43 knockouts among his 45 wins. He beat Derek Chisora by split decision in April, according to The Ring.

Bentley appeals after WBO strips him of middleweight title

The WBO stripped Denzel Bentley of its middleweight title after a 102-day reign. Bentley told Uncrowned he believes his move from Queensberry Promotions to Zuffa Boxing contributed to the decision, though he said he could not be certain.

The WBO had initially granted Bentley a voluntary defense, then enforced mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez’s position after a planned fight with Liam Smith did not materialize. Uncrowned reported that Bentley has filed another appeal and that Hernandez was ordered to face Michael Zerafa for the vacant belt.

Billam-Smith gets rematch with Clarke after 10 years

Chris Billam-Smith will meet Cheavon Clarke at London’s Copper Box, seeking to avenge his decision loss in the 2016 National Championships final. BBC reported that Billam-Smith, 36, turned professional in 2017 and went on to become cruiserweight world champion in 2023.

Billam-Smith said the chance to face Clarke gives him an opportunity to show how much he has progressed. His hopes of fighting Jai Opetaia appear more distant after Opetaia’s scheduled move up to heavyweight to face Wilder on Dec. 11.

Malignaggi accuses Pacquiao of avoiding a fight

Former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi accused Manny Pacquiao of avoiding him, telling The Ariel Helwani Show that Pacquiao was pursuing other opponents despite Malignaggi making himself available. Seconds Out and Boxing News reported the comments.

Pacquiao, 47, has not fought since drawing with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July 2025. Boxing News reported that he is no longer expected to appear on the Fury-Joshua undercard, while Malignaggi is scheduled to compete in a bare-knuckle bout with Victor Ortiz on Dec. 5.

Charlo says rivals are reluctant to face him

Jermell Charlo said that “a lot of these so-called top guys got cold feet” about fighting him, according to Boxing 247 and The Ring. The former undisputed junior middleweight champion is scheduled to return against Brock Jarvis on Dec. 12 after three years out of the ring.

Boxing 247 noted that Charlo’s layoff began after his loss to Canelo Alvarez and that he withdrew from the original Tim Tszyu fight in late 2022 after breaking his hand.

Crawford calls out Garcia as he considers comeback

Terence Crawford called out WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia for a possible fight at middleweight, prompting Garcia to tell him to send an offer or be quiet. Boxing News reported the exchange after Crawford posted that he was considering one more fight.

Crawford retired after beating Canelo Alvarez in September 2025, according to talkSPORT. Boxing News reported that Garcia won his first world title against Mario Barrios and defended it by stopping Conor Benn in September.

Hale turns professional after amateur career

Belfast boxer John Paul Hale has decided to leave the amateur ranks for a professional career, BBC reported. The 25-year-old won an Irish Elite title in 2021, six Ulster titles and competed at the 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Hale’s final amateur bout was a first-round loss to England’s Patris Mughalzai at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He said he felt the referee’s decisions affected the result, and that he did not want to leave amateur boxing with regrets.

Zak Chelli signs multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing

British light heavyweight Zak Chelli has signed a multi-fight contract with Zuffa Boxing, the promotion announced. The 28-year-old is coming off a 10th-round knockout of David Morrell in May and said he wants to make fights fans want to see.

Chelli, who has a professional record of 17-3-1 with 9 knockouts, won English, British and Commonwealth honors before moving to light heavyweight. Fightnews reported that his Zuffa debut will be announced later.

Patricio and Sims to fight for WBA bantamweight title

Americans Shera Mae Patricio and Brittany Sims are set to fight for the WBA world bantamweight championship at College Park Center in Arlington. The WBA described the matchup as a contrast between Patricio’s pressure and power and Sims’ movement and punch volume.

The WBA reported that Patricio enters unbeaten and intends to work from the center of the ring, while Sims is expected to use footwork and her jab to disrupt her opponent.

Nicolson to defend WBC title against Yoshida

Skye Nicolson will defend her WBC super bantamweight title against Miyo Yoshida at College Park Center in Arlington on Nov. 8, 2026, the WBC reported. The organization described the fight as a voluntary defense.

The WBC said Nicolson is known for technical accuracy and footwork, while Yoshida, a former world champion, brings a pressure-fighting style.

Serrano’s final fight tickets go on sale

Tickets are on sale for Amanda Serrano’s fight with Skye Falzon, which Fightnews called “The Last Walk.” The Ring reported that Serrano is seeking the women’s knockout record in her final fight on Jan. 9.

Paul Wall prepares to defend IBF title in Mallorca

Undefeated Berlin boxer Paul Wall is scheduled to defend his IBF super welterweight title against Finland’s Tomi Silvennoinen at Mallorca Fight Night II. Fightnews reported that the bout is set for Nov. 5 at the Trui Teatre and will be Wall’s first title defense.

Wall, 29, said he had completed nearly 12 weeks of preparation, including sparring with boxers he described as being among the world’s top 50. He has a professional record of 12-0 with 8 knockouts, while Silvennoinen is 16-4 with 10 knockouts.

Ramzi Hilal heads to Youth Olympic Games with his father as coach

Lebanon’s Ramzi Hilal will compete in the men’s 55-kilogram boxing division at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with his father, Wissam, in his corner. World Boxing reported that the competition runs from Nov. 7 to 12.

Ramzi, born in Germany in 2009, has won Lebanese championship titles from 2022 through 2026 and earned silver at the 2026 Arab Boxing Championships in Jordan. He qualified after competing at the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok.