LAS VEGAS — Gary Antuanne Russell had to weather serious turbulence down the stretch, but he left T-Mobile Arena with his belt still around his waist. Russell survived a second-half surge from unbeaten challenger Andy Hiraoka to win a unanimous decision and successfully defend his WBA junior welterweight title Saturday night on “The Ring: High Stakes” card streamed via DAZN PPV. Judge Steve Weisfeld scored it 117-110, while Jack Reiss and Glenn Feldman each had it 116-111.
Early on, Russell (19-1, 17 KOs) dictated terms. The 29-year-old champion stayed on the front foot, pumping quick combinations and targeting the body with sharp, compact bursts. His tempo and pressure built a clear lead through the opening rounds. Hiraoka (24-1, 19 KOs), a nearly 6-foot southpaw with long levers, needed time to adjust. By the midpoint, he found his rhythm.
Hiraoka’s Comeback Push
As the fight moved into the second half, Hiraoka began pressing forward and ripping the body with authority. His length and timing allowed him to back Russell toward the ropes, shifting momentum and forcing the champion into retreat.
Russell, previously in control, suddenly found himself absorbing sustained body work while moving laterally to buy space. Hiraoka’s adjustments made the bout increasingly competitive entering the championship rounds.
The Turning Point
Momentum appeared to be tilting decisively toward Hiraoka until the 10th round. Two right uppercuts strayed well below the belt, prompting referee Al Huggins to halt the action and deduct a point from Hiraoka. The penalty disrupted his rhythm at a crucial moment in the fight.
Still, the Japanese contender pressed forward in the 11th, setting up a tense and dramatic final round.
The 12th round saw both fighters trade in the center of the ring, neither willing to concede ground. While the official scorecards favored Russell by comfortable margins, the action inside the ropes felt far closer. In the end, Russell’s early dominance and body attack banked enough rounds to offset Hiraoka’s late surge. With the victory, Russell retains his WBA title and hands Hiraoka his first professional defeat.
What’s Next at 140?
The junior welterweight division remains stacked with contenders and champions. Russell’s first successful defense solidifies his standing, but the closing rounds exposed vulnerabilities future challengers will study.
For Hiraoka, the loss may sting, but his performance in the second half proved he belongs on the world stage. For Russell, the message is clear: He can control a fight. He can survive adversity. And at 140 pounds, he’s still very much in the mix.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
