Russell vs Hiraoka Predictions: Rarely-sighted stylist returns after 11 months

WBA super lightweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell squares off with Andy Hiraoka this Saturday, February 21. The world title bout takes place at The Ring: High Stakes at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. DAZN will broadcast the event live, with Ryan Garcia challenging WBC welterweight king Mario Barrios in the main event.

Read further for my Russell vs Hiraoka predictions ahead of this eye-catching fight.

Russell vs Hiraoka Odds

Champion Russell is priced at 3/10 to score the victory in Vegas. Hiraoka is priced at 11/4. That price could convince a few given Hiraoka’s undefeated status. The draw is marketed at 18/1.

Russell vs Hiraoka Fight Preview

Russell is aiming to do something that has not been achieved in four years; retain the WBA super lightweight championship. ‘Tartan Tornado’ Josh Taylor was the last man to make a successful defence of this belt, though many would argue he did not do enough to stop Jack Catterall taking it from him in their February 2022 battle.

Since that fateful and infamous night, four men have worn the WBA 140lbs crown (the proper one, not that ‘regular’ guff), but no one has successfully defended it. 

Alberto Puello succeeded Taylor as champion when the WBA stripped the Scotsman for failing to fight him as mandatory challenger. The titlist was then stripped of the title for failing a drugs test ahead of a bout with Rolando Romero.

‘Rolly’ then took on the champion’s mantle with a controversial win over boxing’s great Methuselah; Ismael Barroso. Romero lost the title to Isaac Cruz who summarily lost it to Jose Valenzuela. The hot potato then found its way into Russell’s hands when the American out-scored Valenzuela 11 months ago.

Russell can actually claim the longest title reign since Taylor’s. But then such an achievement is relatively easy if you don’t fight for almost a year. Part of that is by design. Older brother Gary Russell Jr. (all five of the late Gary Sr.’s sons are called Gary, a’la George Foreman and his multi-George offspring), was similarly selective with his activity.

But this fight was actually inked a few months ago. Jake Paul’s daft time-waste against Gervonta Davis being cancelled kiboshed this WBA title affair until The Ring rescued it for this card.

Russell hasn’t fought twice in a calendar year since 2022 and hasn’t fought thrice or more in the same span since 2019. What that tells you is that this man does not suffer from ring rust. Only Puello has beaten him in a 19-fight career. With Russell coming off a career highlight in winning Valenzuela’s title, you feel even 11 months removed that the momentum is with the champion.

If the way to beat Russell is by capitalising on inactivity, Hiraoka is the wrong man for the job. ‘Da Blade’ hasn’t fought since his September 2024 knockout win over Barroso. But what the WBA mandatory does bring is power, output and excitement. Now that makes him a perfect opponent for Russell.

This is a fun styles match-up and a deserved spotlight opportunity for both men. But one hopes that the victor does not make us wait until 2027 or beyond to see their next bout.

Russell vs Hiraoka Full Card

Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia

Gary Antuanne Russell vs Andy Hiraoka

Richardson Hitchins vs Oscar Duarte

Frank Martin vs Nahir Albright

Bektemir Melikuziev vs Sena Agbeko

Amari Jones vs Luis Arias

Joshua Edwards vs Brandon Colantonio

Mohammed Alakel vs Ronny Reyes

Russell vs Hiraoka Prediction

Russell is a multi-faceted fighter, setting traps from a southpaw stance. A capable counter-puncher, he fires back with volume rather than ones and twos. The champ’s double-jab with the right is used to set up a rapier left and, if offered, Russell will also happily dig to the body too.

Hiraoka has vicious and precise power. Check out the counter right he used to send Cristiano Aoqui to Jupiter. Thrown while walking backwards, it was a brick wall of a shot that sent his opponent spiralling. Another southpaw, Hiraoka uses his jab as a measuring stick for the money-making rights. 

The Japanese challenger can be ragged at times and is sometimes caught looking for the perfect shot. Russell is precise and tight. Happy to trade, but on his terms. I can see the champion picking the pretender off early before punishing him down the stretch for a wide points win. Russell by decision is 11/8.

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