Mizuki Hiruta has remained true to her short-term goal while steadily in pursuit of her long-term dream.
The unbeaten southpaw – who one day aspires to be “boxing’s Shohei Ohtani” – for now at least remains the most active women’s champion. The reigning 115lbs queen is set to defend her lineal and WBO championship against Mexico’s Gloria Gallardo. Their scheduled 10-round bout tops 360 Promotions’ Hollywood Fight Nights November 22 show from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.
“I’m very grateful to Tom Loeffler, 360 Promotions and coach Manny (Robles) for keeping me so active this year,” Hiruta said of what will mark her fourth title fight of 2025. “That was our plan when we started working together last year and this is my fourth world title defense this year.”
The event will air live on UFC Fight Pass, Hiruta’s exclusive platform since she made her U.S. debut earlier this year after having never previously fought outside of Japan.
Hiruta, 9-0 (2 KOs) will attempt the sixth defense of the WBO 115lbs title she claimed in a Dec. 2022 ten-round shutout of Kanako Taniyama in her hometown of Tokyo, Japan. She then posted back-to-back knockout wins at home before her career went idle as she embraced a life-changing event.
The decision to leave home and train in the U.S. saw Hiruta, now 29, link up with Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions and eventually head trainer Manny Robles in the Southern California region.
“Coming to the United States to fight professionally has been the biggest challenge of my life so far,” Hiruta, now 29, told BoxingScene. “But it’s a good challenge and I am very happy with the decision my team and I made.
“Women’s boxing isn’t recognized by many people in Japan. The moment I began fighting here, I immediately felt the appreciation from the fans. It justified my decision to come here.”
The move has led to her rise to the top of the 115lbs division. Additionally, she will join countryman Naoya Inoue, 31-0 (27 KOs) as the only reigning champs to fight four times this year. Inoue will next defend his undisputed 122lbs championship against Mexico’s Alan David Picasso on December 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hiruta is confident that she will dispose of her own Mexican challenger five weeks prior, though vows to leave no stone unturned.
“Gloria Gallardo has fought many solid fighters throughout her career,” noted Hiruta. “I will be prepared for victory and to put on a great show for all my fans in Southern California and watching in Japan on UFC Fight Pass. No pasa nada!”
Gallardo, 16-3-3 (7 KOs) enters her second career title fight.
The 30-year-old, Baja California, Mexico-based contender unsuccessfully challenged IBF 115lbs titlist Irma Garcia in a 10-round, unanimous decision defeat last December 14 in Nicolas Romero, Mexico. She bounced back with a 1st round knockout on March 15 in her Rosarito hometown to return to the title mix.
“Mizuki Hiruta has had her time but my time is now,” vowed Gallardo. “I’m taking home the world title belt. I’ve worked hard and earned my opportunity for this fight. I plan on taking full advantage to cement my name as one of the best female boxers in the world and following in the growing legacy of champions from Mexico.”
360 Promotions also confirmed that the November 22 show will include local favorite Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco, 6-0 (1 KOs), Kazakhstan’s Sadriddin Akhmedov, 15-0-1 (13 KOs), Guadalupe “Lupita” Medina, 11-0 (2 KOs) and Abel Mejia, 9-0 (6 KOs) in separate bouts.
