Promoters have floated a lineup packed with recognizable names for the rumored Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua card on December 11 in Cardiff, yet the actual competitive substance is largely missing.
EverythingBoxing reporter Darshan Desai floated these options next to Bam Rodriguez vs. Christian Medina, Manny Pacquiao vs. Joe Cordina, and Deontay Wilder vs. Jai Opetaia. While these pairings remain unconfirmed proposals with plenty of prior chatter, most prioritize nostalgia over genuine drama.
Slotting Huni against either British heavyweight gives the card legitimate substance. Huni’s hand speed and volume punching create a sharp stylistic clash with Riakporhe’s raw power. Taking on Adeleye delivers similar intrigue, forcing the Londoner to solve a polished technician who keeps the work rate relentless. Both matchups stand firmly on their own athletic merit.
Pacquiao versus Cordina feels downright reckless. The Filipino legend turns 48 less than a week after the event. His historic resume explains why Netflix wants his face on the broadcast, but that star power cannot disguise how unappealing this pairing is in the ring. Cordina gains zero sporting credibility by beating up an aging icon. Watching a diminished legend take heavy blows serves no purpose on a show that already guarantees massive viewership.
Bam Rodriguez stepping in with Medina creates a separate issue. With trainer Robert Garcia openly floating a delay until spring 2027 for a Naoya Inoue clash, booking Medina frustrates fans eager for the pound-for-pound showdown. Inoue is already eyeing a leap to featherweight, leaving no room for stalling. Taking a safe bout against Medina reinforces the belief that Bam’s corner is dodging the definitive fight. Blowing out another overmatched opponent solves nothing.
Wilder versus Opetaia keeps popping up as well, but fans have already analyzed that pairing to death.
Fury and Joshua give organizers a captive global audience. Rather than padding the undercard with empty nostalgia, delivering real heavyweight scrap like Huni against Riakporhe or Adeleye gives paying subscribers the competitive grit they deserve.