Andy Hiraoka left Ohashi Boxing Gym after his loss to Gary Antuanne Russell, ending a 13-year run with the gym that developed his professional career.
Hiraoka (24-1, 19 KOs) announced the decision on social media, describing it as mutual after discussions with gym president Hideyuki Ohashi. He thanked the coaches, staff and teammates who supported him during his time there and said he will continue to pursue a world title. He did not provide details on his next move or name a new gym.
This is a big step for Hiraoka. After 13 years and 25 professional fights, leaving Ohashi Boxing Gym, the stable that houses the likes of Naoya and Takuma Inoue, is a clear “recovery” move after the loss.
While he fell short against Russell on Feb. 21, Hiraoka actually saw his stock rise in many circles. Despite the lopsided scores from the judges (117-110, 116-111 and 116-111), he really showed toughness by rallying in the second half of the fight,
Hiraoka is still a dangerous 5’11” southpaw with a 76% knockout ratio. At 29 years old, he has plenty of time for another serious run at 140 lbs. The big question now is whether he stays in Japan or looks to a US-based trainer to better prepare for the logistical and stylistic challenges of fighting on American soil.
Hiraoka’s performance against Russell certainly proved that his power translates to the world-class level. Even in a losing effort, he showed that those ten straight knockouts leading up to the fight weren’t just a product of protected matchups in Japan.
He caught Russell’s attention several times. For a guy who had never been past the 10th round, Hiraoka’s ability to stay dangerous in the “championship rounds” was the biggest takeaway. Most punchers of his type fade when the early KO doesn’t materialize, but he was still landing heavy shots in the 12th.
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Last updated on 03/29/2026 at 03:32
