WBA minimumweight champion Yutaka Niida has picked up a rib injury and his upcoming title defense against Katsunari Takayama has been postponed indefinitely, officials of Niida's gym said Sunday.

Niida, who sustained the injury during practice Saturday, had been scheduled to face former WBC champion and fifth-ranked Takayama at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo next Saturday.

In March, Niida successfully defended his title for the fourth time with a unanimous decision over Ronald Barrera of Colombia.