Wilder's Dance Card: Opetaia, CBS... and Now Verhoeven Says "I Said Yes"

RUMOR (the fighter's own claim). Rico Verhoeven, the kickboxer who took Oleksandr Usyk into the 11th round in Giza on May 23, told talkSPORT that he's been offered Deontay Wilder for the Dec. 11 Fury-Joshua card in Cardiff. Quoted by BoxingScene (boxingscene.com): "We got an offer for the December 11 card. I can't confirm just yet [that I will be on the card]. What I can confirm is that they offered me a fight with Deontay Wilder, and I said yes." (The bracketed words are BoxingScene's insertion.) There's no confirmation yet from a promoter, Netflix or Sela.

Update, Oct. 15, 9:45 PM PT. talkSPORT's own write-up (talksport.com) carries the rest of what he said: "Of course, the details still need to be talked about. I'm waiting on the response. So if there is a yes from the other side, then it is going to happen." So the ball is in Wilder's court.

The catch: Wilder's already got a dance partner penciled in. Dana White called Opetaia vs. Wilder likely for the same card (on Boxbid), and Wilder's manager, Shelly Finkel, told Dan Rafael they've "accepted offer for Wilder to face Jai Opetaia" and are "awaiting word if it's a go" (via Boxing News: boxingnewsonline.net). So Rico's yes is to an offer, not to a signed contract, darling. 💅

From boxbid.ioWalk Fight CityMake your own boxer, train in the gym and watch fights with fans. Go

CBS waiting in the wings. Chris Billam-Smith has said he'd love Wilder at heavyweight (Sky Sports: skysports.com), and Sky Sports Boxing teased it on X: "Anyone for CBS v Wilder? 💭👇" (x.com).

And the Dutch subplot. Alistair Overeem has been calling Verhoeven out for the same card, telling him on Instagram: "Rico Verhoeven… stop hiding. Let's make history!" (Boxing News: boxingnewsonline.net). If Rico gets Wilder, Overeem may be left calling into the void.

More from Cardiff: the WBA title on Fury-AJ (on Boxbid), Pacquiao's rumored spot (on Boxbid) and Dana's first Opetaia-Wilder word (on Boxbid). Boxer pages: Deontay Wilder (on Boxbid), Jai Opetaia (on Boxbid), Tyson Fury (on Boxbid) and Anthony Joshua (on Boxbid).

Rumor-Meter

• Verhoeven vs. Wilder on Dec. 11: WARM (RUMOR). It's the fighter's own claim of an offer he accepted, with nothing signed and no promoter confirmation.
• Opetaia vs. Wilder: still in the mix. Wilder's camp has accepted an offer, and is awaiting word.
• Billam-Smith vs. Wilder: COLD. It's a wish list.
• Overeem vs. Verhoeven: COLD.

Rico, Jai or CBS: who should Wilder dance with on Dec. 11? Drop your pick in the Boxbid community. 👀

You didn't hear it from me… 🤫