The Japanese boxer Ryoichi Taguchi retained on December 31 in Tokyo, Japan, his World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Flyweight title, after beating Filipino Milan Melinda.

Taguchi showed superiority during most of the fight, which made him defeat his rival by a unanimous decision of: 116-112 and a double 117-111.

The Japanese boxer made the seventh successful defense of his WBA title and left his record at 27 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws and 12 knockouts. Thus, as it is tradition, the year was closed again with a fight for a black and gold belt in Japan.