Ryoichi Taguchi (田口 良一, Taguchi Ryōichi, born 1 December 1986) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2019. He was a unified light-flyweight world champion, having held the WBA title from 2014 to 2018 and the IBF and Ring magazine titles from 2017 to 2018.

Ryoichi Taguchi
Born
田口良一

(1986-12-01) 1 December 1986 (age 38)
Tokyo, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Statistics
Weight(s)Light-flyweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins27
Wins by KO12
Losses4
Draws2

Professional career

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Early career

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Taguchi made his professional debut on July 19, 2006, against Tomohiro Seo and won the fight by a first-round knockout. By December 28, 2009, he had amassed a 10–1 record, with four of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

In late 2011, Taguchi entered the Japanese light-flyweight contender tournament, held to determine the next Japanese light-flyweight title challenger. He faced Tetsuya Hisada in the tournament semifinals, held on July 5, 2011, and won the fight by unanimous decision.[1] Taguchi faced Yu Kimura in the tournament finals, held on October 15, 2011, and won the fight by a sixth-round technical knockout.[2]

Japan light-flyweight champion

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Taguchi challenged the Japanese light-flyweight champion Masayuki Kuroda on March 12, 2012, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The fight was ruled a split decision draw after ten rounds were contested.[3] Taguchi was afterwards scheduled to face Eakkasit Jaikongkaew on July 16, 2012. Eakkasit failed to make weight for the bout and was accordingly banned from competing in Japan by the JBC for a period of one year, although he was still allowed to fight Taguchi. Taguchi won the fight by a first-round knockout.[4]

Taguchi was scheduled to fight Yuki Chinen for the vacant Japanese light-flyweight title on April 3, 2013. He won the ten-round bout by unanimous decision, with scores of 99–91, 98-92 and 97–93.[5] During his post-fight interview, Taguchi called out the #6 ranked Japanese light-flyweight Naoya Inoue for his first title defense.[6] His wish granted by the JBC, Taguchi was scheduled to face Inoue on August 25, 2013, in his first title defense. Taguchi lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 98–92, 98-93 and 97–94.[7]

Taguchi returned to action four months after suffering his second professional loss, to face Ryan Bito on December 31, 2013, in a 49.5 kg catchweight bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 78–74, 78-75 and 78–74.[8] Taguchi was next scheduled to face the former IBF minumumweight champion Florante Condes on July 5, 2014.[9] He won the fight by unanimous decision, narrowly edging out the former champion with scores of 77–74, 77-74 and 76–75.[10]

Light-flyweight champion

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WBA light-flyweight champion

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Taguchi was scheduled to challenge Alberto Rossel for the WBA light-flyweight title on December 31, 2014, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The bout presented Rossel's first title defense, after being promoted to status of undisputed champion following Kazuto Ioka's move up in weight.[11] Taguchi won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–110, 116-111 and 117–109. He quickly overwhelmed Rossel and twice knocked him down with a body shot, in rounds eight and nine.[12]

Taguchi made his first title defense against Kwanthai Sithmorseng on May 6, 2015, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. Kwanthai, a former WBA titlist at minimumweight, was ranked as the #14 light-flyweight in the WBA rankings at the time of the bout's scheduling.[13] Taguchi won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout, stopping his opponent with repeated body shots. Prior to the stoppage, Kwanthai was knocked down in the second, fifth and seventh rounds.[14]

Taguchi was scheduled to make the second defense of his title against the #7 ranked WBA light-flyweight Luis de la Rosa on December 31, 2015, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. de la Rosa retired from the fight at the end of the ninth round, after suffering a near-knockdown in the ninth round. de la Rosa was up on two of the judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with scores of 87-84 and 86–85, while the third judge scored the fight 87-84 for Taguchi.[15]

Taguchi made his third title defense against the former WBA minimumweight champion Juan Jose Landaeta, who was at the time the #7 ranked WBA light-flyweight contender, on April 27, 2016. Just like his previous three title fights, the fight took place at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. Landaeta retired from the fight at the end of the eleventh round, after being knocked down five times in the preceding rounds.[16]

Taguchi faced yet another former WBA minimumweight champion, Ryo Miyazaki, in his fourth title defense. Taguchi was scheduled to fight the #1 ranked WBA light-flyweight contender on August 31, 2016, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112, 117-111 and 119–109.[17] Following this victory, Taguchi was awarded the August Monthly Outstanding Fighter Award by the WBA.[18]

Taguchi made his fifth title defense against the undefeated Carlos Cañizales, who was at the time the #3 ranked WBA light-flyweight contender, on December 31, 2016.[19] The fight was ruled a split decision draw. Judges Derek Milham and Octavio Rodriguez each awarded a 116-112 scorecard to Cañizales and Taguchi respectively, while judge Philippe Verbeke scored the fight as a 114–114 draw.[20]

Taguchi was scheduled to make his sixth title defense against Rober Barrera on July 23, 2017, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.[21] Taguchi put in a dominant performance and won the fight by a ninth-round technical knockout, 24 seconds into the round.[22]

WBA and IBF unified champion

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After successfully defending his title six times, Taguchi was scheduled to fight the IBF light-flyweight champion Milan Melindo in a title unification bout. Additionally, the vacant The Ring light-flyweight title was on the stake as well. The super fight between the two champions was set for December 31, 2017, and was contested at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, same as all of Taguchi's previous title fights.[23] Taguchi beat Melindo by unanimous decision, who was unable to make use of his 4-inch height and reach advantage. Two judges scored the fight 117-111 for Taguchi, while the third judge awarded him a 116-111 scorecard.[24] He was awarded the December Monthly Outstanding Fighter Award by the WBA.[25]

Taguchi made his first title defense as a unified light-flyweight champion against the former minimumweight unified champion Hekkie Budler on May 20, 2018. Taguchi lost the fight by controversial decision, with scores of 114–113 on all three judge's scorecards.[26] On November 20, 2018, Taguchi announced his retirement from the sport.[27]

Move up to flyweight

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Taguchi came of his retirement in early 2019, to challenge the newly crowned WBO flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka. The fight was scheduled for March 16, 2019, and was contested at the Memorial Center in Gifu, Japan.[28] Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 117–111 in his favor, while the third judge awarded Tanaka a 119-109 scorecard.[29]

Professional boxing record

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33 fights 27 wins 4 losses
By knockout 12 0
By decision 14 4
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
33 Loss 27–4–2 Kosei Tanaka UD 12 16 Mar 2019 Memorial Center, Gifu, Japan For WBO flyweight title
32 Loss 27–3–2 Hekkie Budler UD 12 20 May 2018 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA (Unified), IBF, and The Ring light-flyweight titles
31 Win 27–2–2 Milan Melindo UD 12 31 Dec 2017 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA (Unified) light-flyweight title;
Won IBF and vacant The Ring light-flyweight titles
30 Win 26–2–2 Rober Barrera TKO 9 (12), 0:24 23 Jul 2017 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
29 Draw 25–2–2 Carlos Cañizales SD 12 31 Dec 2016 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
28 Win 25–2–1 Ryo Miyazaki UD 12 31 Aug 2016 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
27 Win 24–2–1 Juan Jose Landaeta RTD 11 (12), 3:00 27 Apr 2016 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
26 Win 23–2–1 Luis de la Rosa RTD 9 (12), 3:00 31 Dec 2015 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
25 Win 22–2–1 Kwanthai Sithmorseng TKO 8 (12), 0:36 6 May 2015 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
24 Win 21–2–1 Alberto Rossel UD 12 31 Dec 2014 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Won WBA light-flyweight title
23 Win 20–2–1 Florante Condes UD 8 5 Jul 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
22 Win 19–2–1 Ryan Bito UD 8 31 Dec 2013 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
21 Loss 18–2–1 Naoya Inoue UD 10 25 Aug 2013 Sky Arena, Zama, Japan Lost Japanese light-flyweight title
20 Win 18–1–1 Yuki Chinen UD 10 3 Apr 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant Japanese light-flyweight title
19 Win 17–1–1 Eakkasit Jaikongkaew KO 1 (8) 16 Jul 2012 Winghat, Kasukabe, Japan
18 Draw 16–1–1 Masayuki Kuroda SD 10 12 Mar 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For Japanese light-flyweight title
17 Win 16–1 Yu Kimura TKO 6 (8) 15 Oct 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
16 Win 15–1 Tetsuya Hisada UD 6 5 Jul 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Win 14–1 Keiichi Numata TKO 8 (8) 28 Jan 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14 Win 13–1 Toshimasa Ouchi TKO 7 (8) 1 Oct 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13 Win 12–1 Seiya Hirakawa TKO 6 (8) 28 Jul 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12 Win 11–1 Sho Nakazawa UD 8 11 Apr 2010 IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
11 Win 10–1 Norihito Tanaka DQ 2 (6) 28 Dec 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10 Loss 9–1 Masayoshi Segawa UD 8 1 Aug 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9 Win 9–0 Pattana Tadniyom KO 2 (6) 7 Feb 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8 Win 8–0 Shintaro Sue UD 6 27 Mar 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 7–0 Sho Nakazawa UD 5 22 Dec 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6 Win 6–0 Masayoshi Takashima UD 4 4 Nov 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 5–0 Kazuki Oshiro UD 4 27 Sep 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Taisei Hirano UD 4 6 Jun 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Ryu Onigashima UD 4 11 Dec 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Akihiro Konya TKO 3 (4) 27 Sep 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Tomohiro Seo TKO 1 (4) 19 Jul 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "田口が判定勝ちで決勝進出/ボクシング". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. ^ "田口らが日本王座挑戦権/ボクシング". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. ^ "ドローで辛くも…黒田V3/ボクシング". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  4. ^ "招へい禁止外国人一覧(タイ人ボクサー規制後)" (PDF). jbc.or.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  5. ^ "田口が判定で日本王座奪取/ボクシング". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  6. ^ "田口新王者、井上と対戦希望/ボクシング". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  7. ^ "井上尚弥に敗れた男たちの「その後」 2団体統一王者となった田口、44歳元王者は今なお..." j-cast.com. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  8. ^ "河野、田口が再起戦に勝利、モデル高野も4連勝". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Former IBF world champion Florante Condes to fight Ryoichi Taguchi!". asianboxing.info. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  10. ^ Nathanielsz, Ronnie (6 July 2014). "Taguchi Edges Former Champ Condes at Korakuen Hall". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Libra por libra: lo mejor de Alberto Rossel y Ryoichi Taguchi". elpoli.pe. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  12. ^ Donovan, Jake (31 December 2014). "Taguchi Manhandles Rossel For Junior Flyweight Crown". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Uchiyama, Taguchi to make title defenses on May 6". japantimes.co.jp. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  14. ^ "田口良一が8回TKO勝ち、クワンタイを5度倒す". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  15. ^ "田口良一が序盤の劣勢を挽回、9回終了TKOでV2". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  16. ^ "田口良一がV3、ランダエタに11回終了TKO勝ち". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  17. ^ "田口良一が4度目の防衛成功、宮崎亮に3-0判定勝ち". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  18. ^ "OFFICIAL RATINGS AS AUGUST 2016" (PDF). wbaboxing.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  19. ^ Wainwright, Anson (29 December 2016). "Ryoichi Taguchi vs. Carlos Canizales is set for New Year's Eve". ringtv.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  20. ^ "田口良一がドロー防衛、WBA・L・フライ級V5". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  21. ^ BoxingScene Staff (14 June 2017). "Ryoichi Taguchi Stakes WBA Belt Against Robert Barrera, July 23". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  22. ^ Arias, Juan (25 July 2017). "Ryoichi Taguchi dominant in world title triumph over Robert Barrera". worldboxingnews.net. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  23. ^ No Sparring (17 November 2017). "Ryoichi Taguchi vs. Milan Melindo Unification Set, December 31". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  24. ^ Rafael, Dan (31 December 2017). "Ryoichi Taguchi wins unanimous decision against Milan Melindo". espn.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  25. ^ "WBAランキング 王座統一の田口良一が月間MVP". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  26. ^ Songalia, Ryan (20 May 2018). "Hekkie Budler shocks Ryoichi Taguchi in Japan, wins RING junior flyweight title". ringtv.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  27. ^ "田口良一が引退表明、元WBA&IBF世界ライトフライ級統一王者「やりきったという思い」". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  28. ^ BoxingScene Staff (10 January 2019). "Kosei Tanaka vs. Ryoichi Taguchi Set For March 16 in Gifu". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  29. ^ Christ, Scott (16 March 2019). "Tanaka vs Taguchi results: Kosei Tanaka retains flyweight title in action-packed fight". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Masayuki Kuroda
Japanese light-flyweight champion
3 April 2013 – 25 August 2013
Succeeded by
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA light-flyweight champion
31 December 2014 – 31 December 2017
Promoted
Vacant
Title next held by
Carlos Cañizales
as Regular Champion
Vacant
Title last held by
Román González
WBA light-flyweight champion
Unified Title

31 December 2017 – 20 May 2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by IBF light-flyweight champion
31 December 2017 – 20 May 2018
Vacant
Title last held by
Donnie Nietes
The Ring light-flyweight champion
31 December 2017 – 20 May 2018