This stood out because Russell is usually the aggressor. He beats his opponents, increases the volume and forces turnovers. In this fight, he spent long stretches backing up and trying to ponderous the pace. Hiraoka’s jab was finding him early, and as the body attack gained momentum, the tone of the fight changed. Even if someone had tied Russell, it didn’t seem like the night should have ended 117-110.
Fans on X and YouTube reacted the same way. Many were not only unhappy with the scoring; they believed Hiraoka had done enough to win. The width of the cards only intensified this impression. In a fight that seemed competitive, wide margins don’t reassure people. They raise doubts about how rounds are scored.
Russell decided to leave and start naming bigger fights at 140 pounds. This makes sense from a career standpoint, but it also means he’s not addressing the segment of the audience who left unconvinced. Without a rematch on the table, this reaction will not fade quickly. He follows him to the next fight.
Therefore, the victory is not as neat as the record suggests. Officially, it is a clear decision. Unofficially, a noticeable part of the audience questions this. When a fight produces this kind of divided reaction and there is no interest in reversing it, the outcome never fully becomes embedded in the public consciousness.
For some fans, that victory now has a mental footnote. They see victory on paper, but will remember a fight they thought he lost or at least didn’t control. This belief does not disappear because the belt stayed with him. This is evident by how seriously they take his announcements and how they compare him to other names in the junior welterweight division.
If Russell goes straight into a stern fight, some of the audience will be skeptical. They will want proof in the ring. A clear, dominant performance against a top opponent would mute most of the noise. Another imminent or discussed decision would bring this conversation to the surface.
He remains the champion, and the belt confirms it, but the fans’ full acceptance will depend on what he does next and whether another victory will leave no doubt.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.