| |
|
TANIGUCHI WINS WBO ASIA-PACIFIC TITLE, TARGETS WBO WORLD 105 DIVISION CHAMP VIC SALUDAR
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 14 Nov 2018

Masataka Taniguchi of Japan beat erstwhile undefeated Joel Lino of the Philippines by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title in Bangkok, Thailand.
After the victory, Watanabe Promotions, which handles Taniguchi, made known their plan to challenge Lino?s countryman, Vic Saludar, the reigning WBO minimumweight world champion. The target date is February 2019.
The 24 year old Taniguchi (11W-2L,7KO?s), lost in his bid to win an OPBF title last year by majority decision against another Japanese, Tsubasa Koura. He bounced back with wins against Thai Patiphan Prajuabsook and Filipino Reymark Taday.
Taniguchi?s fight against Lino was held Tuesday at Bangkok?s Ram100 Boxing Stadium. The scorecards of the three Thai judges were ? Mekin Sumon ? 116-112, Surat Soikrachang ? 119-109 and Sungworn Klungboonkrung ? 119-109. The referee was Sawaeng Thaweekoon also from Thailand.
The 23 year old Lino had a 10-0-1,3KO?s record going into this fight. This was his first attempt to win any type of title.
Taniguchi has also beaten Filipinos Dexter Alimento, Vincent Bautista and Joey Bactul.
Saludar (18-3,10KO?s) took the WBO world title by unanimous decision against Japanese Ryuya Yamanaka last July in Kobe, Japan. Saludar knocked down Yamanaka in round seven which was the turning point of the fight.
A little more than a month after the fight, Yamanaka announced his retirement after doctors diagnosed that he had subdural hematoma or bleeding between the thin membranes that cover the brain.
Photo: Masataka Taniguchi (middle) celebrates after his win.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six , Sun, 15 Mar 2026Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS) , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28 , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29 , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026 , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|