The WBA ordered a pair of mandatory defenses today, directing welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis to meet Shakhram Giyasov and super lightweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell to fight Andy Hiraoka.
Uzbekistan’s Giyasov (17-0, 10 KO) beat Harold Calderon in a June 2023 eliminator and has spent the 22 months since in a holding pattern, picking up a trio of wins over Pablo Cesar Cano, Miguel Parra, and Franco Maximiliano Ocampo. Though virtually everyone save Matchroom would prefer Ennis (34-0, 30 KO) jump into another unification bout after smashing Eimantas Stanionis earlier this month, taking care of his mandatory obligation may be his best option, as rumors abound of Brian Norman Jr vs Jin Sasaki and Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao.
This order does have some classic WBA wankery attached, however, as they’ve elected to resurrect their bogus “world” title and give it to the winner of Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero next week. This is despite the two combining for a staggering zero wins at 147.
Russell’s (18-1, 17 KO) first title bid saw him struggle with the range and craft of Alberto Puello, but he bounced back last month by outclassing Jose Valenzuela for both the WBA title and his first decision victory. Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KO), for his part, secured top contender status by battering Ismael Barroso in September. “Da Blade” has knocked out 10 consecutive opponents, including the aforementioned Sasaki, and should produce an absolute banger with Russell.
