Gary Antuanne Russell Retains WBA Super Lightweight Crown Over Andy Hiraoka in Las Vegas
Gary Antuanne Russell made a successful first defense of his WBA super lightweight championship Saturday night, defeating Japan's undefeated Andy Hiraoka by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The final scorecards read 117-110 and 116-111 twice for the Maryland native, settling one of boxing's most anticipated title fights at 140 pounds and opening the door for major unification bouts ahead.
A Long Time Coming at T-Mobile Arena
The bout was anything but straightforward to make. Originally scheduled for November 14, 2025, on the Jake Paul-Gervonta Davis undercard, the entire card collapsed after Davis faced domestic violence allegations that triggered a civil lawsuit. After months of uncertainty and a brief visa complication that delayed Hiraoka's entry into the United States, both fighters finally found their stage on Saturday's DAZN pay-per-view card headlined by the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia WBC welterweight title fight.
Russell, 29, from Capitol Heights, Maryland, entered the ring at 18-1 with a staggering 17 knockouts — a 94% knockout rate that ranked among the highest in all of professional boxing. Hiraoka, also 29, from Yokohama, Japan, stepped through the ropes with a perfect 24-0 record, 19 knockouts, and a 10-fight knockout streak. On paper, the matchup between two southpaws — one a relentless pressure fighter, the other a methodical counterpuncher — was a compelling tactical chess match.
How the Fight Unfolded
The early rounds belonged to Russell, who pressed forward and worked the body effectively, using volume and combination punching to establish the inside game that is his bread and butter. Hiraoka, using his five-inch reach advantage and taller 5-foot-11 frame, fought from the outside behind a disciplined jab and looked to time Russell with counters as he closed the distance.
The middle rounds grew more competitive. Hiraoka began to find his range and the fight slowed into a grinding tactical exchange. A significant moment arrived in Round 10 when Hiraoka was deducted a point by the referee after landing a second low blow — a penalty that proved consequential in the context of the margins on at least two of the scorecards. Russell absorbed the shot and, visibly pained, confirmed he was ready to continue. He fought through the discomfort and closed the championship rounds with authority, landing hard body shots and controlling the pace in the final minutes.
Hiraoka's Visa Drama Added to the Intrigue
The fight week narrative was complicated by a travel snafu involving Hiraoka, who faced visa issues preventing him from leaving Japan on schedule. The complication was ultimately resolved through the Japanese embassy. Russell, only half-joking at the pre-fight press conference, acknowledged the close call, noting that without Japan's cooperation, he would have entered the ring without an opponent. Hiraoka made the trip and competed, though the unusual circumstances surrounding fight week added another layer to an already storyline-rich event.
The Stylistic Battle Russell Had to Navigate
Both fighters entering as southpaws shifted the traditional angles of engagement. Jab control and lead-foot positioning became paramount throughout all twelve rounds. Russell's path to victory required him to breach Hiraoka's long reach, avoid the Japanese fighter's precise counters on the way in — particularly the right hook and left uppercut that had troubled other opponents — and make his pressure meaningful once inside.
Hiraoka's strategy mirrored the blueprint Alberto Puello used to hand Russell his only professional defeat in 2024. Managing range from the outside, punching between Russell's combinations, and leveraging size advantages in a phone booth. On Saturday, the execution was strong at times but ultimately not sufficient to sway the judges.
What Comes Next for Russell at 140 Pounds
With the mandatory obligation now fulfilled, Russell's title reign enters its most interesting chapter. The super lightweight division is stacked with major names. Shakur Stevenson, the four-division unbeaten champion, recently added the 140-pound crown via a unanimous decision over Teofimo Lopez Jr. in January. Richardson Hitchins holds the IBF belt. Russell has made clear he wants all of them.
Russell said before the fight that he believes he would shake up the world by beating Stevenson, a sentiment that will only grow louder in the hours and days that follow Saturday's performance. A unification fight would give Russell the platform to define his championship run and silence lingering questions raised by the Puello loss two years ago. The belt is defended. The bigger fights are next.
