Masataka Taniguchi officially vacates Japanese title
Over the weekend we reported that the WBO had ordered purse bids for a bout between their Minimumweight champion Wilfredo Mendez (16-1, 6) and mandatory challenger Masataka Taniguchi (14-3, 9) [谷口将隆], as the two men failed to agree terms within a 10 day negotiation window. As reported previous the purse bids for the bout are now set for October 20th.
Today, following that news, Taniguchi revealed that he had vacated the Japanese national title, with the clear indication being that he would indeed make the most of his mandatory position, rather than focus on defending his national title next year in the Champion Carnival. Had he decided to instead defend the Japanese title and wait longer for a world title fighter he would have been expected to face Kai Ishizawa (9-1, 8) [石澤開], who booked his place in a Japanese mandatory title fight a few days ago.
With Taniguchi vacating the national title, for obvious reasons, it's unclear who Ishizawa will face for the vacant title, though names that are in the running are Ginjiro Shigeoka (6-0, 5) [重岡銀次朗], who is expected to pass on the chance as he begin to focus on a world title fight of his own, and Katsuki Mori (9-0, 2) [森 且貴], who is more likely to take the opportunity.
In regards to Mendez Vs Taniguchi, it's expected that teams for both fighters will be putting in strong bids, with Taniguchi's team potentially looking to have the bout on New Year's Eve in Tokyo as part of TBS's big year ending event.
Today, following that news, Taniguchi revealed that he had vacated the Japanese national title, with the clear indication being that he would indeed make the most of his mandatory position, rather than focus on defending his national title next year in the Champion Carnival. Had he decided to instead defend the Japanese title and wait longer for a world title fighter he would have been expected to face Kai Ishizawa (9-1, 8) [石澤開], who booked his place in a Japanese mandatory title fight a few days ago.
With Taniguchi vacating the national title, for obvious reasons, it's unclear who Ishizawa will face for the vacant title, though names that are in the running are Ginjiro Shigeoka (6-0, 5) [重岡銀次朗], who is expected to pass on the chance as he begin to focus on a world title fight of his own, and Katsuki Mori (9-0, 2) [森 且貴], who is more likely to take the opportunity.
In regards to Mendez Vs Taniguchi, it's expected that teams for both fighters will be putting in strong bids, with Taniguchi's team potentially looking to have the bout on New Year's Eve in Tokyo as part of TBS's big year ending event.