This Saturday (February 21st), the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas sets the stage for a tactical shootout for the WBA junior welterweight championship. Champion Gary Antuanne Russell, from Maryland, makes the first defense of his crown against undefeated mandatory challenger Andy Hiraoka of Japan in a clash that promises precision wrapped in strategic nuance. Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) lost a split decision to Alberto Puello, a former title holder, in 2024 but won the WBA title in March 2025 against Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela. The new champion has remained inactive since then. Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs) is coming off a quality win over Ismael Barroso (who was stopped prematurely in a 2023 world title bout against Rollie Romero that Barroso was winning). However, Hiraoka-Barroso took place in September of 2024 and Hiraoka has not fought since.
Here are the WBA's four keys that will determine who leaves the ring as king at 140 pounds:
The Battle of Height and Reach: Hiraoka brings rare dimensions to the division. At 5-foot-11 with a 74-inch reach—numbers more typical of a welterweight—he’ll look to dictate tempo from the outside. For Russell, the mission is clear: cut off the ring, breach that long defensive perimeter, and do it without walking into clean counters.
Southpaw vs. Southpaw Dynamics: Both men fight left-handed, so traditional counter angles will shift. Lead foot positioning and jab control become paramount. Hiraoka uses his right hand not just to score but as a rangefinder and stabilizer to keep opponents at bay. Russell, however, boasts one of the quickest and most explosive left hands in the division. He’ll need to unleash it in tight, compact combinations to neutralize the challenger’s size advantage.
Volume vs. Surgical Precision: Russell thrives on relentless pressure, forcing exchanges at mid-to-close range. His success hinges on turning the fight into a battle of attrition. Hiraoka, by contrast, is methodical and has scored knockouts in his last ten outings through pinpoint accuracy. If he can frustrate Russell on entry, his counters could prove decisive—and dangerous.
Ring Rust and Early Tempo: Both fighters enter after periods of inactivity. Russell hasn’t fought since capturing the title in March 2025 against José Valenzuela, while Hiraoka last saw action in September with an emphatic win over Ismael Barroso. The opening three rounds will be telling—who shakes off the cobwebs first and settles into the championship rhythm under the bright lights of Las Vegas?
