Gary Antuanne Russell Set for WBA Title Defense on Garcia-Barrios Undercard in Las Vegas
World title action is building toward February 21, 2026, as WBA junior welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell prepares to make his first championship defense on the undercard of the Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sources with direct knowledge of the fight have confirmed Russell’s bout with unbeaten mandatory challenger Andy “Da Blade” Hiraoka will be featured on the DAZN pay-per-view broadcast, giving fight fans an exciting co-feature to complement the main event.
A Long-Awaited Title Defense Finally Set
Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) captured the WBA junior welterweight world title in March 2025 with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Valenzuela, showing poise and discipline over twelve rounds. Since then, boxing fans have eagerly awaited his first defense. After multiple delays — including the cancellation of a previously scheduled card tied to Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis — the championship fight between Russell and Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs) has found its home on one of boxing’s most anticipated cards of early 2026.
The matchup had been in motion for months but was left in limbo when the Paul-Davis event, originally set for November, was scrapped amid legal issues surrounding Davis. Once Paul’s rescheduled heavy-hitter bout against Anthony Joshua took that slot, Russell’s title defense was left without a date — until now.
Meet the Challenger: Andy Hiraoka
Hiraoka, a 24-year-old southpaw from Japan, enters the fight undefeated and eager to secure his first world title. His most recent standout performance came in September 2024, when he stopped Ismael Barroso in the ninth round, a victory that earned him the mandatory challenger position. With 19 career knockouts, Hiraoka brings power and confidence into the title spotlight, and his unbeaten record adds a layer of intrigue to what promises to be an action-packed clash.
Though Hiraoka has shown finishing ability, questions remain about how he will fare over the full championship distance, having not yet been tested in a deep twelve-round battle at the world level. That contrast with Russell — who has shown the ability to maintain steady pressure and tactical pace over longer fights — is part of what gives this matchup its narrative tension.
The Stakes on Fight Night
For Russell, this defense is more than just a title defense — it’s a statement fight that could define his reign as champion. After winning the belt in March, he has not returned to the ring, making this his opportunity to show that he can sustain success at the elite level. A strong performance here could set up future name bouts and solidify his place among the elite junior welterweights in boxing today.
For Hiraoka, this is the chance of a lifetime. A victory over Russell would not only earn him world champion status, but it would also raise his profile dramatically on the global stage, especially with the fight taking place in the high-visibility spotlight of Las Vegas and alongside the Garcia-Barrios co-feature.
Undercard Adds Punch to a Stacked Fight Card
The Garcia vs. Barrios card already boasts heavyweight interest with the main event pitting Ryan Garcia against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title — a matchup generating buzz for its blend of power, style and star power. Adding Russell’s title defense enhances the night’s appeal, offering fans world championship action across multiple weight classes.
Whether you’re tuning in for the headlining welterweight showdown or the championship clash between Russell and Hiraoka, fight night promises fireworks, gritty competition and meaningful stakes in some of boxing’s most compelling divisions.
