On December 14, 2021, a 27-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (14-3, 9 KOs) got a shot at the WBO strawweight title held by 25-year-old Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Méndez (16-1, 6 KOs).
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 7 days. Méndez was on a 7-fight win streak with a 35% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 year, 10 months, and 6 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped the champion via TKO in the 11th round of the 12-round world-title fight, winning the first world title of his career, and is crowned the new WBO strawweight champion. Taniguchi improves his record to 15-3 (10 KOs), while Méndez adds a loss to his record at 16-2.
On April 22, 2022, Masataka Taniguchi and Kai Ishizawa met again in a rematch.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 8 days. Ishizawa was on a 4-fight win streak with a 81% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 11 days.
In the rematch, Masataka Taniguchi stopped Kai Ishizawa via TKO in the 11th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO strawweight title. Taniguchi improves his record to 16-3 (11 KOs), while Ishizawa adds a loss to his record at 10-2.
On February 26, 2019, a 25-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (11-2, 7 KOs) got a shot at the strawweight WBO title held by 28-year-old Filipino boxer Vic Saludar (18-3, 10 KOs).
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 53% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 13 days. Saludar was on a 4-fight win streak with a 47% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 7 months and 13 days.
Vic Saludar defeated Masataka Taniguchi via unanimous decision and successfully defended his WBO strawweight title. Saludar improves his record to 19-3, while Taniguchi adds a loss to his record at 11-3.
On June 7, 2021, a 27-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (13-3, 8 KOs) and Tatsuro Nakashima met in the ring in a strawweight bout.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 4 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Tatsuro Nakashima via TKO in the 5th round. Taniguchi improves his record to 14-3 (9 KOs)
On September 21, 2019, a 25-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (11-3, 7 KOs) and a 22-year-old fellow Japanese boxer Kai Ishizawa (6-0, 6 KOs) met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 26 days. Ishizawa was on a 6-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 20 days.
Masataka Taniguchi defeated Kai Ishizawa via unanimous decision in the 8-round fight. Taniguchi improves his record to 12-3, while Ishizawa adds a loss to his record at 6-1.
On July 30, 2017, a 23-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (7-1, 5 KOs) and Narathip Sungsut met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 62% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 3 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Narathip Sungsut via TKO in the 1st round. Taniguchi improves his record to 8-1 (6 KOs)
On June 27, 2017, a 23-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (6-1, 4 KOs) and Benjie Bartolome met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 57% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 18 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Benjie Bartolome via RTD in the 1st round. Taniguchi improves his record to 7-1 (5 KOs)
On May 16, 2016, a 22-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (1-0, 1 KO) and Nonthawat Phengkrajang met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 13 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Nonthawat Phengkrajang via TKO in the 1st round. Taniguchi improves his record to 2-0 (2 KOs)
On June 19, 2016, a 22-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (2-0, 2 KOs) and Joey Bactul met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 3 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Joey Bactul via KO in the 2nd round. Taniguchi improves his record to 3-0 (3 KOs)
On December 31, 2017, a 23-year-old Masataka Taniguchi (8-2, 6 KOs) and Patiphan Prajuabsook met in the ring.
Taniguchi came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 20 days.
Masataka Taniguchi stopped Patiphan Prajuabsook via TKO in the 3rd round. Taniguchi improves his record to 9-2 (7 KOs)