The WBA Championship Committee has officially ordered a showdown between its reigning 140-pound champion Gary Antuanne Russell and his mandatory challenger, Andy Hiraoka. The WBA  issued formal notice to both camps, granting them a thirty-day window to negotiate a deal, beginning on April 22nd and running through May 21st. Per WBA Championship Rule C.10, a titleholder must defend the belt against the next available contender within 120 days of claiming the title. For Russell, who captured the crown on March 1st, the deadline to fulfill his mandatory obligation is July 1st. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement within the designated negotiation period — or if either side refuses to participate — the WBA reserves the right to call a purse bid, in accordance with its internal regulations. Hiraoka is from Japan and boasts a 24-0 pro reciord. He earned WBA mandatory contender status by stopping the respected Ismael Barroso in September.