Former World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi of Watanabe Boxing Gym recently resumed training at the gym after his devastating technical knockout loss to Melvin Jerusalem of the Philippines on Jan. 6 and said he will start all over again so that he can return to a world champion either at minimumweight or at light flyweight.

Speaking to a reporter of Boxing Beat at the gym earlier this month, the 29-year-old Taniguchi, who was stopped in the second round by Melvin Jerusalem of the Philippines in his second defense of the title at EDION Arena Osaka, said, ‘’I want to take a crack at a world title (either at minimumweight or at light flyweight) at the earliest opportunity.’’

‘’Before I was thinking vaguely about the possibility of my retirement if I lost the title considering my age. But that kind of feeling did not occur at all when I lost the title.’’

Reflecting on the fight, the left-handed Taniguchi said, ‘’I wasn’t expecting that I would be knocked down with a single punch after studying Jerusalem’s fighting style. I wasn’t bloated with pride. I was trying to knock him out from the beginning although I am not that type of boxer.’’

After going through that kind of soul-searching time and time again, Taniguchi, who now has a record of 16 wins, including 11 KOs, against four losses, said, ‘’I think I can make improvements and become stronger.’’

While he resumed training from Jan. 17, Taniguchi said, ‘’I reset myself and am now practicing how to throw jabs. I am also practicing how to avoid punches by utilizing my footwork. I enjoy my training at present to my heart’s content.’’