Russell Retains WBA Title in Controversial UD Over Hiraoka

LAS VEGAS Gary Antuanne Russell retained his WBA super lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Andy Hiraoka on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, though the outcome drew boos from the crowd who viewed the bout as far closer than the judges' scorecards suggested.

The scores read 117-110, 116-111 and 116-111 in favor of Russell, who improved to 19-1 with 17 knockouts in his first defense of the belt he captured last year. Hiraoka, a previously unbeaten Japanese contender entering at 24-0 with 19 knockouts, suffered his first professional loss. The 12-round fight featured contrasting styles, with Russell's technical precision ultimately swaying the officials despite Hiraoka's relentless pressure in the later stages.

From the opening bell, Russell, a 29-year-old southpaw, relied on his jab, quick footwork and sharp counters to maintain distance. He circled the ring effectively through the first five rounds, landing cleaner combinations while Hiraoka stalked forward, seeking opportunities for right hands and straight shots. The challenger's longer reach and patient approach tested Russell's ability to close gaps, but the champion avoided prolonged exchanges early on.