Masataka Taniguchi
Born
谷口将隆

(1994-01-19) 19 January 1994
Kobe, Japan
Statistics
Weight(s)Mini-flyweight
Light-flyweight
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Reach64+1⁄2 in (164 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights21
Wins17
Wins by KO11
Losses4

Masataka Taniguchi (谷口将隆, born 19 January 1994) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBO mini-flyweight title from 2021 to 2023.

As of June 2022, he is ranked as the world's fourth best mini-flyweight by BoxRec, The Ring and TBRB.[1][2][3]

Professional career

Early career

Career beginnings

Taniguchi made his professional debut against Thawi Chaisat on April 3, 2016, and won the fight by a first-round knockout. He amassed an 8-1 record over the next 15 months, achieving six of those victories by stoppage.[4]

Taniguchi challenged the reigning OPBF mini-flyweight titlist Tsubasa Koura on November 11, 2017. He lost the fight by majority decision. Two judges scored the fight for Koura as 115-114 and 115-113, while the third judge scored it as a 114-114 draw.[5]

Following his failed OPBF title bid, Taniguchi faced Patiphan Prajuabsook on December 31, 2017. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[6] Taniguchi was next scheduled to face Reymark Taday on February 8, 2018, and won the fight by a sixth-round technical decision.[7] Taniguchi fought Joel Lino for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title on November 13, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Two judges scored eleven of the twelve rounds for Taniguchi, while the third judge scored it 116-112 for him.[8]

These three victories earned Taniguchi the change to challenge the reigning WBO mini-flyweight champion Vic Saludar, in the latter's first title defense, on February 26, 2019.[9] Saludar won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 117-111 in his favor, while the third judge awarded him a 118-110 scorecard.[10]

Taniguchi was scheduled to face the undefeated prospect Kai Ishizawa on September 21, 2019. He won the eight-round bout by unanimous decision, with scores of 77-74, 77-74 and 78-74.[11]

Japanese mini-flyweight champion

Taniguchi was scheduled to fight Hizuki Saso for the vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title on December 3, 2020. He won the fight by a tenth-round technical knockout, and was awarded all nine prior rounds by two of the three judges, while the third scored eight of the nine rounds for Taniguchi.[12] Taniguchi made his first Japanese mini-flyweight title defense against Tatsuro Nakashima on June 7, 2021. He dominated the bout, winning all four rounds prior to the fifth-round technical knockout of Nakashima.[13]

WBO mini-flyweight champion

Taniguchi vs. Méndez

On October 7, 2021, the WBO ordered Wilfredo Méndez to make his third mini-flyweight title defense against the mandatory challenger Masataka Taniguchi.[14] On October 27, 2021, a successful purse bid was held, which had a minimum bid of $40,000. The bout would take place on December 14, 2021, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.[15] Taniguchi won the fight by an eleventh-round technical knockout. He first knocked Méndez down with a left straight in the second round, which put him in an early point lead, which was made greater after Méndez was deducted a point in the sixth round for excessive holding. Taniguchi upped his output in the eleventh round, forcing referee Nobuto Ikehara to stop the fight with a flurry of punches to which the cornered Méndez did not respond.[16]

Taniguchi vs. Ishizawa

Taniguchi was booked to make his first WBO mini-flyweight title defense against Kai Ishizawa on April 22, 2022, in the main event of PBX Phoenix Battle 87, which was broadcast as a pay per view by Abema TV. The bout was a rematch of their September 21, 2019 meeting, which Taniguchi won by unanimous decision. It took place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[17] Although Taniguchi weighed in at 47.6 kg, 0.2 below the championship limit, Ishizawa came in 2.5 kg above the limit. Ishizawa failed to make weight in his second attempt as well, as he weighed in at 49.9 kg.[18] Ishizawa was allowed to compete after making 49.9 kg on the day of the fight, although he was ineligible to win the title. Taniguchi retained the belt by an eleventh-round technical knockout, forcing a referee stoppage with a flurry of punches at the 2:29 minute mark of the penultimate round. He was leading on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with all three judges having scored the fight 99–91 in his favor.[19]

Taniguchi vs. Jerusalem

Taniguchi is scheduled to make his second WBO championship defense against the one-time WBC mini-flyweight title challenger Melvin Jerusalem. The bout was scheduled as the main event of "3150 FIGHT vol.4" and took place at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan on January 6, 2023. It was broadcast by Abema TV.[20] Taniguchi lost the fight by a second-round technical knockout. He was dropped with a one-two combination near the beginning of the round and remained unsteady on his feet despite beating the ten-count, which prompted referee Roberto Ramirez Jr. to wave the bout off.[21]

Light flyweight

Taniguchi made his light flyweight debut against the former OPBF and Japanese light flyweight champion Kenichi Horikawa on August 5, 2023, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan in the main event of a U-Next broadcast show.[22] He won the fight by majority decision, with two scorecards of 96–94 in his favor and one even 95–95 scorecard.[23] Taniguchi revealed that he had suffered a broken jaw in the fifth round during a post-fight interview.[24] He successfully underwent surgery on August 9.[25]

Professional boxing record

21 fights 17 wins 4 losses
By knockout 11 1
By decision 6 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
21 Win 17–4 Kenichi Horikawa MD 10 5 Aug 2023 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20 Loss 16–4 Melvin Jerusalem TKO 2 (12) 1:04 6 Jan 2023 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Lost WBO mini-flyweight title
19 Win 16–3 Kai Ishizawa TKO 11 (12), 2:29 22 Apr 2022 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO mini-flyweight title
18 Win 15–3 Wilfredo Méndez TKO 11 (12), 1:08 14 Dec 2021 Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Won WBO mini-flyweight title
17 Win 14–3 Tatsuro Nakashima TKO 5 (10), 1:35 7 Jun 2021 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese mini-flyweight title
16 Win 13–3 Hizuki Saso TKO 10 (10), 0:37 3 Dec 2020 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title
15 Win 12–3 Kai Ishizawa UD 8 21 Sep 2019 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14 Loss 11–3 Vic Saludar UD 12 26 Feb 2019 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For WBO mini-flyweight title
13 Win 11–2 Joel Lino UD 12 13 Nov 2018 Ram 100 Thai Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
12 Win 10–2 Reymark Taday TD 6 (8), 2:16 9 Feb 2018 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11 Win 9–2 Patiphan Prajuabsook TKO 3 (8), 1:56 31 Dec 2017 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
10 Loss 8–2 Tsubasa Koura MD 12 11 Nov 2017 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For OPBF mini-flyweight title
9 Win 8–1 Narathip Sungsut TKO 1 (8), 2:05 30 Jul 2017 Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Japan
8 Win 7–1 Benjie Bartolome RTD 1 (6), 3:00 27 Jun 2017 Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena, Makati, Philippines
7 Loss 6–1 Reiya Konishi MD 10 9 Apr 2017 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan For vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Vincent Bautista UD 6 31 Dec 2016 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 5–0 Dexter Alimento SD 8 13 Oct 2016 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Chaowalit Choedram TKO 4 (8), 1:32 7 Aug 2016 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Joey Bactul KO 2 (8), 1:41 19 Jun 2016 Maasim Municipal Gymnasium, Maasim, Philippines
2 Win 2–0 Nonthawat Phengkrajang TKO 1 (6), 1:30 16 May 2016 Meenayothin Camp, Bangkok, Thailand
1 Win 1–0 Thawi Chaisat KO 1 (6), 1:58 3 Apr 2016 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rankings". tbrb.org. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "Boxing Ratings - minimum". boxrec.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Ratings - Strawweight". ringtv.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "Masataka Taniguchi v Narathip Sungsut". boxrec.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  5. ↑ "小浦翼12戦無敗で王座初防衛 世界王者宣言でた". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "【長谷川穂積の拳心論】７度目防衛の田口 大きな試合の後の目標設定が大切". daily.co.jp. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "谷口が3度目の挑戦にむけ発進！". watanabegym.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "谷口がWBO･AP王者に 日本SB決定戦は中川vs田村". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  9. ↑ Reyes, Lito Delos. "Saludar to defend WBO title vs. Japanese boxer". pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (26 February 2019). "Vic Saludar defeats Masataka Taniguchi in first title defense". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "谷口将隆が世界戦敗退から再起 日本挑戦権獲得 オールKO勝ちの石澤はダウン奪うも及ばず". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  12. ↑ "谷口将隆10回ＴＫＯ勝ちで新王者 日本ミニマム級". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "谷口将隆が初防衛に成功、仲島辰郎にＴＫＯ勝利 日本ミニマム級". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  14. ↑ Donovan, Jake (7 October 2021). "Wilfredo Mendez-Masataka Taniguchi: WBO Orders Mandatory Strawweight Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "谷口将隆 12・14尚弥とダブル世界戦 国技館開催に「やる気出た」". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Donovan, Jake (14 December 2021). "Masataka Taniguchi Drops, Stops Wilfredo Mendez In 11th Round, Wins WBO Crown". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  17. ↑ Donovan, Jake (22 February 2022). "Masataka Taniguchi First WBO Title Defense Set, April 22 Rematch With Kai Ishizawa In Tokyo". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  18. ↑ "【ボクシング】WBO王者・谷口将隆、石澤開の体重超過に困惑、再計量もパスできず". efight.jp. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  19. ↑ Donovan, Jake (22 April 2022). "Masataka Taniguchi Stops Kai Ishizawa In 11th Round, Retains WBO Title In Tokyo". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "【3150FIGHT】W世界タイトルマッチ決定 谷口将隆＆重岡銀次郎が世界挑戦 竹原慎二もエール". agara.co.jp. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "谷口将隆、無念の２回TKO負けで王座陥落 プロ初黒星喫した会場で２度目の防衛ならず／詳細". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "元世界王者・谷口将隆がライトフライ級転向初戦の計量クリア トップ戦線に「食い込む選手になりたい」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 4 August 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  23. ↑ "元世界王者谷口将隆「勝ち切れて生き残った」あご骨折を乗り越えて再起戦勝利 - ボクシング : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "元WBO世界ミニマム級王者・谷口将隆 顎負傷も約7カ月ぶり再起戦でベテラン堀川に判定勝ち - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 格闘技". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  25. ↑ "【ボクシング】元世界王者・谷口将隆、アゴ手術後の写真が話題「顔が2倍になってしまいました」". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 October 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.