Gary Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka Mandatory Set for 2026

The obligation that has not disappeared

Russell, 29, was supposed to fight Hiraoka last November on the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis card. However, that fight was canceled in November due to legal issues with Tank.

When Jake scheduled a fight against Anthony Joshua on December 19, 2025, the Russell-Hiraoka fight was not included on the undercard. In hindsight, the card could have used Russell vs. Hiraoka, as fans complained a lot about the lackluster fights supporting the main event. It looked like a crew reduced to nothing.

Despite the delay, Hiraoka, a 29-year-old from Japan, is still the WBA’s mandatory challenger for Russell’s belt. So the fight will take place unless the WBA makes a new decision,

There is still an official date in early 2026 for the Russell-Hiraoka fight.

Hiraoka is not well known in the United States among casual boxing fans, as most of his 24 career fights took place in his native Japan. The Americans therefore did not have the chance to see it in action.

Russell’s favorite options elsewhere

Russell would prefer to fight one of the notable fighters at 140, like Richardson Hitchins. He repeatedly called out IBF champion Hitchins for a unification fight and was ignored each time. Hitchins lost four times to Antuanne in the amateur category. It is therefore not surprising that he is not willing to take on the challenges.

Another fighter Russell has called out is Lamont Roach. Although he had expressed interest in fighting him, his failure to defeat interim WBC light welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz on December 6 delayed any chance of Roach fighting Russell. Roach and Cruz fought to a 12-round draw.