{{short description|Japanese boxer (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox boxer |name=Masataka Taniguchi |image= |image_size= |caption= |real_name=谷口将隆 |nickname= |weight=Mini-flyweight <br> Light-flyweight |height=5 ft 4 in |reach=64+1/2 in |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1994|01|19|df=y}} |birth_place=Kobe, Japan |style=Southpaw |total=27 |wins=21 |KO=15 |losses=6 |draws= |no contests= }}
{{Nihongo|'''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.
==Professional career== ===Early career=== ====Career beginnings==== Taniguchi made his professional debut against Thawi Chaisat on 3 April 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Masataka Taniguchi v Narathip Sungsut |url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/752871/2175856 |website=boxrec.com |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
Taniguchi challenged the reigning OPBF mini-flyweight titlist Tsubasa Koura on 11 November 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=小浦翼12戦無敗で王座初防衛 世界王者宣言でた |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/201711120000219.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
Following his failed OPBF title bid, Taniguchi faced Patiphan Prajuabsook on 31 December 2017. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.<ref>{{cite web |title=【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 |url=https://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2018/01/01/0010862638.shtml |website=daily.co.jp |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> Taniguchi was next scheduled to face Reymark Taday on 8 February 2018, and won the fight by a sixth-round technical decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=谷口が3度目の挑戦にむけ発進！ |url=http://www.watanabegym.com/news/7844/ |website=watanabegym.com |date=9 February 2018 |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> Taniguchi fought Joel Lino for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title on 13 November 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=谷口がWBO･AP王者に 日本SB決定戦は中川vs田村 |url=https://boxingnews.jp/news/62484/ |website=boxingnews.jp |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
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 26 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reyes |first1=Lito Delos |title=Saludar to defend WBO title vs. Japanese boxer |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061064 |website=pna.gov.ph |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stumberg |first1=Patrick L. |title=Vic Saludar defeats Masataka Taniguchi in first title defense |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/2/26/18241570/vic-saludar-defeats-masataka-taniguchi-in-first-title-defense |website=badlefthook.com |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref>
Taniguchi was scheduled to face the undefeated prospect Kai Ishizawa on 21 September 2019. He won the eight-round bout by unanimous decision, with scores of 77-74, 77-74 and 78-74.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://boxingnews.jp/news/69900/ |website=boxingnews.jp |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
====Japanese mini-flyweight champion==== Taniguchi was scheduled to fight Hizuki Saso for the vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title on 3 December 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=谷口将隆10回ＴＫＯ勝ちで新王者 日本ミニマム級 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202012030001297.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> Taniguchi made his first Japanese mini-flyweight title defense against Tatsuro Nakashima on 7 June 2021. He dominated the bout, winning all four rounds prior to the fifth-round technical knockout of Nakashima.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202106070000986.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
===WBO mini-flyweight champion=== ====Taniguchi vs. Méndez==== On 7 October 2021, the WBO ordered Wilfredo Méndez to make his third mini-flyweight title defense against the mandatory challenger Masataka Taniguchi.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donovan |first1=Jake |title=Wilfredo Mendez-Masataka Taniguchi: WBO Orders Mandatory Strawweight Title Fight |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/wilfredo-mendez-masataka-taniguchi-wbo-orders-mandatory-strawweight-title-fight--161058 |website=boxingscene.com |date=7 October 2021 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> On 27 October 2021, a successful purse bid was held, which had a minimum bid of $40,000. The bout would take place on 14 December 2021, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=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」 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/battle/news/2021/11/02/kiji/20211101s00021000714000c.html |website=sponichi.co.jp |access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donovan |first1=Jake |title=Masataka Taniguchi Drops, Stops Wilfredo Mendez In 11th Round, Wins WBO Crown |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/masataka-taniguchi-drops-stops-wilfredo-mendez-11th-round-wins-wbo-crown--162767 |website=boxingscene.com |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=16 December 2021}}</ref>
====Taniguchi vs. Ishizawa==== Taniguchi was booked to make his first WBO mini-flyweight title defense against Kai Ishizawa on 22 April 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 21 September 2019 meeting, which Taniguchi won by unanimous decision. It took place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donovan |first1=Jake |title=Masataka Taniguchi First WBO Title Defense Set, April 22 Rematch With Kai Ishizawa In Tokyo |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/masataka-taniguchi-first-wbo-title-defense-set-april-22-rematch-with-kai-ishizawa-tokyo--164293 |website=boxingscene.com |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=22 February 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=【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 |url=https://efight.jp/news-20220421_1006594 |website=efight.jp |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donovan |first1=Jake |title=Masataka Taniguchi Stops Kai Ishizawa In 11th Round, Retains WBO Title In Tokyo |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/masataka-taniguchi-stops-kai-ishizawa-11th-round-retains-wbo-title-tokyo--165706 |website=boxingscene.com |access-date=22 April 2022 |date=22 April 2022}}</ref>
====Taniguchi vs. Jerusalem==== {{further|List of 3150Fight events#3150FIGHT vol. 4}}
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 6 January 2023. It was broadcast by Abema TV.<ref>{{cite web |title=【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 |url=https://www.agara.co.jp/article/237480 |website=agara.co.jp |access-date=11 November 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202301050000847.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref>
===Light flyweight=== ====Taniguchi vs. Horikawa==== Taniguchi made his light flyweight debut against the former OPBF and Japanese light flyweight champion Kenichi Horikawa on 5 August 2023, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan in the main event of a U-Next broadcast show.<ref>{{cite web |title=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」 |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20230804-OHT1T51109.html?page=1 |website=スポーツ報知 |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=ja |date=4 August 2023}}</ref> He won the fight by majority decision, with two scorecards of 96–94 in his favor and one even 95–95 scorecard.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202308050000986.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=ja}}</ref> Taniguchi revealed that he had suffered a broken jaw in the fifth round during a post-fight interview.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/battle/news/2023/08/05/kiji/20230805s00021000355000c.html |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=ja}}</ref> He successfully underwent surgery on 9 August.<ref>{{cite web |title=【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」 |url=https://efight.jp/news-20230809_1405959 |website=eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=ja}}</ref> Taniguchi fully recovered by the end of February 2024, when he was permitted by his physician to once again train and spar at full intensity.<ref name="Korea fight">{{cite web |title=【ボクシング】元世界王者・谷口将隆が５・11韓国でＬフライ級転向２戦目「存在感みせたい」 - ボクシング : 日刊スポーツ |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202404170000610.html |website=nikkansports.com |access-date=27 April 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>
====Taniguchi vs. Abcede==== On 17 April 2024, Taniguchi's representatives Treasure Boxing Promotion held a press conference at the Watanabe Gym in Shinagawa to announce he would face Jaysever Abcede on 11 May 2024. The contest will take place at the Paradise City Grand Ballroom in Incheon, South Korea, as an undercard fight for the flyweight bout between Hiroto Kyoguchi and Vince Paras.<ref>{{cite web |title=アゴ骨折から復帰した谷口将隆 ５月に韓国で復帰戦…フライ級世界王者ユーリ阿久井政悟にＴＫＯ勝ち経験のアブシードに「勝つ」 |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20240417-OHT1T51109.html?page=1 |website=スポーツ報知 |access-date=27 April 2024 |language=ja |date=17 April 2024}}</ref> He won via technical knockout in the fifth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightnews.com/another-brawl-after-paras-upsets-kyoguchi-in-korea/161835|title=Another brawl after Paras upsets Kyoguchi in Korea; Taniguchi halts Abcede in five|publisher=fightnews.com|accessdate=10 February 2026}}</ref>
====Taniguchi vs. Santiago==== Taniguchi challenged WBO and WBA light-flyweight champion René Santiago of Puerto Rico at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 April 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringmagazine.com/news/rene-santiago-to-defend-108-pound-titles-vs-masataka-taniguchi-apr-3-lC35P38ZNzI7RFEZQ7HRc|title=Rene Santiago to defend 108-pound titles vs. Masataka Taniguchi Apr. 3|publisher=The Ring|accessdate=10 February 2026}}</ref> Taniguchi was dropped in the fifth round and lost an unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|title= Boxing: Japan's Taniguchi loses unified light flyweight bid vs. Santiago|url= https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/73559|publisher=Kyodo News|date=April 3, 2026|accessdate=April 3, 2026}}</ref>
==Professional boxing record== {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=15 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=6 |dec-losses=5 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |27 |{{no2}}Loss |21–6 |align=left|René Santiago |UD |12 |3 Apr 2026 |align=left|{{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|For WBA and WBO light-flyweight titles}} |- |26 |{{yes2}}Win |21–5 | align="left" |Takeru Inoue |TKO |5 (12), {{small|0:43}} |3 Aug 2025 | align="left" |{{small|Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Japan}} | align="left" |{{small|Won vacant OPBF and Japanese light-flyweight titles}} |- |25 |{{yes2}}Win |20–5 | align="left" |Condor Inaba |TKO |3 (8), {{small|0:30}} |20 May 2025 | align="left" |{{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} | align="left" | |- |24 |{{no2}}Loss |19–5 |align=left|Thanongsak Simsri |SD |12 |15 Dec 2024 |align=left|{{small|Sumiyoshi Sports Center, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|For OPBF light-flyweight title}} |- |23 |{{yes2}}Win |19–4 |align=left|Paipharob Kokietgym |KO |6 (8), {{small|1:58}} |13 Oct 2024 |align=left|{{small|Yokohama Budokan, Yokohama, Japan}} | |- |22 |{{yes2}}Win |18–4 |align=left|Jaysever Abcede |TKO |5 (8), {{small|1:14}} |11 May 2024 |align=left|{{small|PARADISE CITY, Incheon, South Korea}} | |- |21 |{{yes2}}Win |17–4 |align=left|Kenichi Horikawa |MD |10 |5 Aug 2023 |align=left|{{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} | |- |20 |{{no2}}Loss |16–4 |align=left|Melvin Jerusalem |TKO |2 (12) {{small|1:04}} |6 Jan 2023 |align=left|{{small|Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|Lost WBO mini-flyweight title}} |- |19 |{{yes2}}Win |16–3 |align=left| Kai Ishizawa |TKO |11 (12), {{small|2:29}} |22 Apr 2022 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO mini-flyweight title}} |- |18 |{{yes2}}Win |15–3 |align=left| Wilfredo Méndez |TKO |11 (12), {{small|1:08}} |14 Dec 2021 |align=left| {{small|Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|Won WBO mini-flyweight title}} |- |17 |{{yes2}}Win |14–3 |align=left| Tatsuro Nakashima |TKO |5 (10), {{small|1:35}} |7 Jun 2021 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|Retained Japanese mini-flyweight title}} |- |16 |{{yes2}}Win |13–3 |align=left| Hizuki Saso |TKO |10 (10), {{small|0:37}} |3 Dec 2020 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title}} |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |12–3 |align=left| Kai Ishizawa |UD |8 |21 Sep 2019 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left| |- |14 |{{no2}}Loss |11–3 |align=left| Vic Saludar |UD |12 |26 Feb 2019 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|For WBO mini-flyweight title}} |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |11–2 |align=left| Joel Lino |UD |12 |13 Nov 2018 |align=left| {{small|Ram 100 Thai Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title}} |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |10–2 |align=left| Reymark Taday |{{abbr|TD|Technical decision}} |6 (8), {{small|2:16}} |9 Feb 2018 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left| |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |9–2 |align=left| Patiphan Prajuabsook |TKO |3 (8), {{small|1:56}} |31 Dec 2017 |align=left| {{small|Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left| |- |10 |{{no2}}Loss |8–2 |align=left| Tsubasa Koura |MD |12 |11 Nov 2017 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|For OPBF mini-flyweight title}} |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |8–1 |align=left| Narathip Sungsut |TKO |1 (8), {{small|2:05}} |30 Jul 2017 |align=left| {{small|Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left| |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |7–1 |align=left| Benjie Bartolome |{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}} |1 (6), {{small|3:00}} |27 Jun 2017 |align=left| {{small|Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena, Makati, Philippines}} |align=left| |- |7 |{{no2}}Loss |6–1 |align=left| Reiya Konishi |{{abbr|MD|Majrority decision}} |10 |9 Apr 2017 |align=left| {{small|Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left|{{small|For vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title}} |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left| Vincent Bautista |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |6 |31 Dec 2016 |align=left| {{small|Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left| |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left| Dexter Alimento |{{abbr|SD|Split decision}} |8 |13 Oct 2016 |align=left| {{small|Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan}} |align=left| |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left| Chaowalit Choedram |TKO |4 (8), {{small|1:32}} |7 Aug 2016 |align=left| {{small|Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left| |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left| Joey Bactul |KO |2 (8), {{small|1:41}} |19 Jun 2016 |align=left| {{small|Maasim Municipal Gymnasium, Maasim, Philippines}} |align=left| |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left| Nonthawat Phengkrajang |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |1 (6), {{small|1:30}} |16 May 2016 |align=left| {{small|Meenayothin Camp, Bangkok, Thailand}} |align=left| |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left| Thawi Chaisat |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |1 (6), {{small|1:58}} |3 Apr 2016 |align=left| {{small|Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan}} |align=left| |}
==See also== *List of world mini-flyweight boxing champions *List of Japanese boxing world champions
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{boxrec|id=747308}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}} {{s-bef|before=Wilfredo Méndez}} {{s-ttl|title=WBO mini-flyweight champion |years=14 December 2021 – 6 January 2023}} {{s-aft|after=Melvin Jerusalem}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taniguchi, Masataka}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Martial artists from Kobe Category:Japanese male boxers Category:World mini-flyweight boxing champions Category:World Boxing Organization champions Category:21st-century Japanese sportsmen