Rene Santiago vs Masataka Taniguchi Preview April 3rd, 2026
WBO/WBA Junior Flyweight Champion Rene Santiago of Puerto Rico travels back to Japan this Friday, April 3rd to take on former WBO Minimumweight Champion Masataka Taniguchi at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Santiago took the WBA Belt from Kyosuke Takami last December via a split decision to unify the Titles. Santiago’s previous contest in March was also in Tokyo, when he upset Shokichi Iwata via a unanimous decision for the WBO Belt. Taniguchi last saw action in August when he stopped Takeru Inoue in the fifth round to capture the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, and Japanese Junior Flyweight Titles. This week’s fight can be seen on U Next in Japan while fans in Latin America can catch it on ESPN Knockout with the card getting underway at about 3am ET.
Santiago vs Taniguchi Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Masataka Taniguchi +284
- Rene Santiago -400
My Pick
Santiago is 33-years-old and makes the ring walk with a mark of 15-4 with 9 Ko’s and has boxed 118 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. He measures 5-feet-3-inches tall with a 62.5-inch reach and seems to have enough power as 60 per cent of his victories have been by stoppage, including three of his last six. His first pro defeat came at the hands of Waldemar Pagan by six-round unanimous decision in 2016 and he dropped another six-round unanimous decision two years later to Geovani Garcia Barragan.
His third loss was a 10-round unanimous nod to Yudel Reyes in April, 2022 in a shot at the vacant WBO NABO Minimumweight Title and then he lost to Jonathan Gonzalez by unanimous decision in March, 2024 in a shot at the WBO Light Flyweight Belt. Santiago beat Israel Vazquez by 10-round unanimous decision in 2020 for the vacant WBO Latino Light Flyweight Belt and defended it against Gerardo Zapata by way of second-round disqualification in December 2022 and against Carlos Ortega by ninth-round TKO in April, 2023. He then added the vacant WBO International Light Flyweight Belt in October, 2024 with a 10-round unanimous nod over Ricardo Astuvilca. Of course, he then travelled to Tokyo to win his current world belts with wins over Iwata and Takami
Masataka Taniguchi is a 32-year-old southpaw who owns a record of 21-5 with 15 Ko’s. He’s fought 167 rounds as a pro since making his debut in 2016. He stands 5-feet-4-inches with a 64.5-inch wingspan reach for a one inch edge in height over Santiago as well as two inches in reach. Taniguchi also possesses greater power than the champion as 71.4 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including his last four.
Taniguchi has fought exclusively in Asia as a pro with his first loss coming at the hands of Reiya Konishi via a 10-round majority decision in 2017 for the vacant Japanese Minimumweight (Strawweight) Title. He dropped a 12-round majority nod to Tsubasa Koura in 2017 in a shot at the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight Belt. Taniguchi had a shot at the WBO World Minimumweight Crown in 2019 but lost a unanimous decision to Vic Saludar. However Taniguchi won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight Belt in 2018 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Joel Lino.
He then added the vacant Japanese version in 2020 when he halted Hizuku Saso in the 10th and final round. In 2021 Taniguchi earned another shot at the WBO Minimumweight Title and this time he stopped Wilfredo Mendez in the 11th round to win the belt. He defended it by stopping Kai Ishizawa in the 11th round in 2022 but was halted in the second round by Melvin Jerusalem in 2023 to lose the title. Taniguchi then moved up in weight and lost a 12-round split decision to Thanongsak Simsri in an attempt at the Oriental and Pacific Light-Flyweight Belt in December, 2024.
Prediction…
Taniguchi has plenty of experience and power and is a little bigger than Santiago. However, Santiago has enjoyed success in Japan as he has beaten the odds with wins over Iwata and Takami. Perhaps Taniguchi will decide to take the issue out of the judges’ hands and go for a stoppage here. This is a close call and whoever lets his hands go the most and shows he wants to win it will have the edge. I believe Santiago will likely win it if the fight goes the distance however with Taniguchi having to stop him to take the title.
Santiago has the edge in skills but not power.
Play: Santiago -400 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Masataka Taniguchi betting • Rene Santiago betting