Gary Antuanne Russell vs Andy Hiraoka to Join Barrios vs Garcia on DAZN

The WBA super lightweight title fight will serve as the undercard to the highly anticipated Barrios-Garcia main event.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:36am

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of a boxing match, with the fighters' movements and the ring itself broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The upcoming Russell vs. Hiraoka super lightweight title fight promises to be a thrilling addition to the Barrios vs. Garcia main event, showcasing the depth of talent in the division.Las Vegas Today

In a tale of two fights, Gary Antuanne Russell will defend his WBA super lightweight title against the undefeated Andy Hiraoka on the undercard of the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia event on February 21st in Las Vegas. Russell, an Olympic star, is coming off a dominant performance to claim the title, while Hiraoka, with a 24-0 record and 19 KOs, is looking to pull off the upset and capture the championship.

Why it matters

The boxing world was left reeling when the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight fell through, but this new matchup between Russell and Hiraoka has the potential to steal the show from the main event. The lack of consistent fights for both fighters has been a concern, and this bout will be a crucial test for their development and the state of the super lightweight division.

The details

Gary Antuanne Russell, the Olympic star with a formidable record of 17 early victories, has struggled to maintain a consistent fight schedule, mirroring his brother's inactivity. However, he's coming off a dominant performance against Jose Valenzuela, where he claimed the WBA title. Andy Hiraoka, an equally explosive fighter with an unblemished record of 24-0 and 19 KOs, has also been a bit of a rarity in the ring, with only three fights since 2022. But his last victory against Ismael Barroso showcased his immense power.

  • The Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka fight will take place on February 21, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • The fight will serve as the undercard to the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia main event.

The players

Gary Antuanne Russell

An Olympic star with a formidable record of 17 early victories, Russell has struggled to maintain a consistent fight schedule but is coming off a dominant performance to claim the WBA super lightweight title.

Andy Hiraoka

An undefeated fighter with a record of 24-0 and 19 KOs, Hiraoka has also been relatively inactive in recent years but is looking to pull off the upset and capture the WBA super lightweight championship.

Mario Barrios

The boxer who will be facing Ryan Garcia in the main event of the February 21st card in Las Vegas.

Ryan Garcia

The boxer who will be facing Mario Barrios in the main event of the February 21st card in Las Vegas.

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What’s next

The boxing world will be closely watching to see if the undercard fight between Gary Antuanne Russell and Andy Hiraoka can steal the show from the highly anticipated Barrios vs. Garcia main event.

The takeaway

This bout between Russell and Hiraoka highlights the depth and talent within the super lightweight division, and the lack of consistent fights for these fighters has been a concern for their development. The outcome of this fight could have significant implications for the future of the division.