Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Russell will look to defend his WBA 140-pound title against the undefeated Hiraoka at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier, on Saturday night.

The explosive speed and punching power of Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) snatched the championship with a masterclass performance via a unanimous decision victory over Jose Valenzuela last March. To earn his first title defense, Russell will have to hand a patient, efficient Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs) his first professional loss. The Japanese fighter did not see any in-ring action in 2025, having last defeated Ismael Barroso via ninth-round TKO back in September 2024.

Will Russell’s hand speed and punching oomph overwhelm Hiraoka? Or will the Japanese fighter force a title change Saturday night? With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory between the champ and challenger.

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Gary Antuanne Russell’s Keys to Victory

Double up on the jab

Under the guidance of his older brother and former world champion, Gary Russell Jr., Gary Antuanne Russell makes doubling up on his jab look easy. Against an undefeated blunt puncher like Andy Hiraoka, Russell’s jab could not only keep the Japanese fighter at bay, but it could also serve as the gateway for the champ to fully open up his explosive punching package.

Throw the lead left uppercut

Watch Russell operate and it is normal for a straight left hand to land with consistency, only for the southpaw to turn the weapon into a lead uppercut at points.

Against a fellow southpaw in Hiraoka, this lead left uppercut can register as a surprise with each landing. Russell could use it as an alternating entry point to his jab toward a stinging combination.

Overwhelm Hiraoka with educated volume

Russell has a complex, deep bag of combinations to draw from, with his hand speed making them all the more dangerous to deal with.

Russell’s final key to victory entails him unloading these combinations in drowning Hiraoka out with volume — educated volume. Overextending on punch attempts could leave the champ vulnerable to some sharpshooting counterpunches from Hiraoka. So, while unleashing these combos, Russell must be as compact as he is already sharp.

Andy Hiraoka’s Keys to Victory

Establish the jab with reach

Andy Hiraoka has a five-inch reach advantage and he ought to use it by establishing his range behind the jab.

Finding a home with the jab could keep Gary Antuanne Russell on the outside where his hand speed and explosive power would be less potent.

Time Russell for a counter

Hiraoka is a sharply efficient boxer with potent power himself. If he can bait Russell inside, Hiraoka should look to time the champion in traffic with either a left or right hook.

Hiraoka lands the shot with blunt power and can possibly alter the tempo and result of this bout if that hook lands flush.

Get off to an early start

Hiraoka made it a point during the weigh-in to assert that he will not show any signs of jetlag. Well, ring rust could be a factor, considering this is his first fight since September 2024.

All said, Hiraoka cannot afford to allow a quick, hot start from Russell and giving up early rounds to the champ. Therefore, Hiraoka must make sure he gets off to a quick start himself.

That means tagging Russell with the jab and counterpunching him effectively to alter the champ’s rhythm. Hiraoka’s hooks landing early would only help the challenger’s cause and upset chances.

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The  WBC welterweight world title is on the line this Saturday - Feb 21 - as Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia go toe-to-toe, exclusively on DAZN. Buy the PPV as a one-off cost or get included with DAZN Ultimate Tier. 

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.