Wilder In Talks For Gassiev Title Fight

Deontay Wilder is in talks for a WBA heavyweight title fight against champion Murat Gassiev.

Manager Shelly Finkel says the Opetaia fight is awaiting confirmation, and that talks have also taken place over the Gassiev title shot. The Opetaia bout would have no heavyweight title at stake and is the only Wilder fight currently linked to the undercard.

Wilder, 40, beat Derek Chisora by split decision in London on April 4, continuing a comeback after losses to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in June 2024.

Opetaia would make his heavyweight debut. The unbeaten Australian last stopped Noel Mikaelian in round nine on September 12. Gassiev, a former unified cruiserweight champion, won the WBA regular heavyweight title by stopping Kubrat Pulev in December 2025 and was later elevated to full champion. He stopped Peter Kadiru in his first defense in July.