Gary Antuanne Russell W12 Andy Hiraoka... In a bout that evolved from early dominance to late drama, Gary Antuanne Russell successfully defended his WBA junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Japan’s Andy Hiraoka at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Russell controlled the opening five rounds with superior hand speed and crisp body combinations. However, the previously unbeaten Hiraoka adjusted in the second half, leveraging his reach advantage to target the champion’s midsection and force him onto the back foot. A pivotal moment came in round ten when referee Al Huggins deducted a point from Hiraoka for a pair of low blows that temporarily halted the action. Despite the penalty, the Japanese challenger pressed forward, producing a spirited late rally that tested Russell’s durability. After twelve hard-fought rounds, the judges returned scores of 117-110 and 116-111 (twice), all in favor of the Maryland native. Thankfully, the referee's penalty did not change the result of the fight. Russell now stands at 19-1, strengthening his hold on the WBA's 140-pound crown and inching closer to potential unification clashes. Hiraoka, though suffering his first professional defeat after 24 wins, enhanced his reputation in his U.S. breakout appearance.