 On October 22 only two months later, Niida vacated the title, with the intention of retiring due to back problems and lost interest in boxing.Niida returned two years later and challenged Noel Arambulet for the title at the same venue, but Niida suffered his first loss, by split decision.Niida fought against Arambulet again at the Korakuen Hall on July 3, 2004; this time Niida won the title by unanimous decision in addition to Arambulet not making the weight.