Ryota Murata said that the biggest difference since he became a champion is that taxi drivers are surprised to see him when they look at the back seat of their cars.

"It's one of those moments that make me feel (I've become a world champion)," said Murata, who captured the WBA middleweight title in a rematch against Hassan N'Dam in late October in Tokyo, on Tuesday as he resumed training at Teiken Gym. "People talk to me more often in the streets as well."

All kidding aside, the 31-year-old fighter certainly wants to retain his belt as long as he can.