Andy Hiraoka Biography: Powerful Boxing Rise and Record

A complete look at Andy Hiraoka’s life, boxing career, achievements, fighting style, and latest professional status.

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Introduction

Andy Hiraoka is a Japanese professional boxer from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. He is known for competing in the super lightweight division, where his tall frame, southpaw stance, and knockout power have made him one of Japan’s notable modern boxing contenders.

Andy Hiraoka is a Japanese boxer best known as a former WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight champion and a world-title challenger. He is also publicly known by the nickname “Da Blade” or “The Blade,” while his Japanese birth name is written as 平岡アンディ.

Quick Bio

Field	Details
Full Name	Andy Hiraoka
Birth Name	平岡アンディ
Nickname	Da Blade / The Blade
Gender	Male
Date of Birth	August 8, 1996
Age	29
Birthplace	Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Hometown / Residence	Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Profession	Professional boxer
Division	Super lightweight
Stance	Southpaw
Height	5 ft 11½ in / 182 cm
Reach	74 in / 188 cm
Professional Debut	December 3, 2013
Boxing Record	24 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws
Knockouts	19
Former Title	WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight champion

Why Andy Hiraoka Is Famous

Andy Hiraoka is famous because he became a leading Japanese professional boxer in the super lightweight division and earned a world-title opportunity after a long unbeaten run. His rise gained more attention when he defeated experienced Venezuelan boxer Ismael Barroso in a WBA super lightweight eliminator.

He is also known for his Japanese-Ghanaian family background and his long boxing journey with his father as a major training influence. His story combines discipline, international roots, and a serious climb through Japan’s boxing system.

Early Life and Background

Andy Hiraoka was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, on August 8, 1996. He grew up in Japan and developed his boxing foundation from a very young age. His early life is often connected with discipline, training, and the support of his family.

He has publicly been described as having a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father. This background has made his story stand out in Japanese boxing, especially because he later visited Ghana for training and to connect with his father’s roots.

Education or Training

Verified public information about Andy Hiraoka’s formal education is limited, but reliable boxing coverage has connected him with Yokohama High School. During his youth, he was also active in athletics and had a strong sports background before fully building his professional boxing career.

His boxing training started very early. His father, Justice Codjoe, trained him from childhood and played a major role in shaping his discipline. Later, Hiraoka also trained in Los Angeles and spent time developing his skills outside Japan, which helped him experience different boxing styles and gym environments.

Family Background and Personal Life

Andy Hiraoka’s father is publicly known as Justice Codjoe, a Ghanaian-born trainer who has been deeply involved in his boxing development. Public interviews and boxing reports describe Justice as an important figure in Hiraoka’s career and early training life.

Publicly verified personal-life information about Hiraoka is limited. There is no reliable confirmed public information about a spouse, children, or private relationship status, so those details should not be added to a factual biography. Based on verified information, his personal story is best understood through his family boxing background and professional journey.

Career Start

Andy Hiraoka started his professional boxing career on December 3, 2013. He made his debut at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and won by technical knockout, beginning a long unbeaten professional run.

His early career was built mainly in Japan. He developed through domestic fights, improved his ring experience, and gradually moved toward higher-level opportunities. His combination of reach, movement, and southpaw positioning helped him become a difficult opponent in the super lightweight division.

Career Timeline

2013

Andy Hiraoka made his professional boxing debut on December 3, 2013, in Tokyo. He won his first fight by technical knockout and started his professional career with momentum.

2014–2018

During this period, he continued building his record in Japan. He gained experience, stayed active, and worked on his technical growth under strong training influence.

2019

Hiraoka scored an important win over Akihiro Kondo by unanimous decision. Around this stage, his career began receiving wider attention beyond Japan, and he also made his U.S. debut with a stoppage victory in Las Vegas.

2021

He defeated Jin Sasaki in a major domestic fight and won recognition at Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight level. This victory became one of the major turning points of his career.

2022

Hiraoka defended his regional status with strong wins over Cristiano Aoqui, Shun Akaiwa, Alvin Lagumbay, and Min Ho Jung. His knockout rate and confidence continued to grow.

2023

He entered Ghana for a training camp connected to his father’s homeland. This period added another important chapter to his public story and showed his effort to keep improving for a future world-title chance.

2024

He defeated Ismael Barroso by ninth-round TKO in a WBA super lightweight eliminator at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. This was one of the biggest wins of his career and moved him closer to a world-title fight.

2026

Hiraoka challenged Gary Antuanne Russell for the WBA super lightweight title in Las Vegas. He lost by unanimous decision after 12 rounds, which became the first defeat of his professional career.

Major Career Achievements

Andy Hiraoka’s major achievements include becoming a former WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight champion and earning a world-title challenge in the WBA super lightweight division. His record of 24 wins and 19 knockouts shows that he has been more than just a points fighter.

His win over Ismael Barroso was especially important because Barroso was an experienced opponent with world-level experience. Hiraoka’s victory in that eliminator strengthened his place among serious contenders in the 140-pound division.

Professional Style, Skills, or Public Image

Andy Hiraoka fights as a southpaw, which means he leads with his right hand and keeps his left hand as the rear power side. This stance can create difficult angles for orthodox opponents and helps him use distance effectively.

He is also tall and long for a super lightweight boxer. His reach allows him to control space, use his jab, and set up counters. Public boxing coverage has often described him as calm, disciplined, and methodical rather than flashy.

Challenges, Struggles, or Balanced Career View

Andy Hiraoka’s career has not been only about wins. His first professional loss came against Gary Antuanne Russell in a WBA title fight in 2026. The defeat showed that world-title level boxing brings a different kind of pressure, especially against fast, aggressive, and experienced opponents.

Another challenge has been career movement and transition. After the Russell fight, reports said he left Ohashi Gym after a long association with the team. That kind of change can be difficult for any boxer, but it can also become a new stage if managed carefully.

Current Status or Latest Known Work

The latest publicly available information lists Andy Hiraoka as an active professional boxer with a record of 24 wins, 1 loss, and 19 knockouts. His most recent major fight was the 2026 WBA super lightweight title challenge against Gary Antuanne Russell.

His next professional move has not been fully confirmed in widely available public information. Because he has already fought at world-title level, his future will likely depend on management, gym direction, rankings, and the quality of opponents available in the super lightweight division.

Interesting Facts

Andy Hiraoka started boxing at a very young age under the guidance of his father. This long family training background is one of the most important parts of his story.

He has Japanese and Ghanaian roots, and his 2023 training visit to Ghana helped connect his boxing career with his father’s homeland. He also built a strong knockout record before reaching his first world-title fight.

His nickname “Da Blade” or “The Blade” fits his boxing image because he is known for clean punching, sharp timing, and a long southpaw style. He has fought in Japan and the United States, which has helped him gain wider boxing exposure.

Conclusion

Andy Hiraoka’s biography shows the journey of a disciplined Japanese professional boxer who moved from early training in Yokohama to regional title success and a world-title challenge. His career has been shaped by family influence, international training, and steady growth in the super lightweight division.

Although his first loss came at world-title level, his overall record and achievements still make him an important name in Japanese boxing. His story remains one of persistence, cultural identity, and continued ambition in a demanding sport.