Hirooki Goto's Next IWGP World Heavyweight Title Defence Made Official

Hirooki Goto’s next planned defence of the IWGP World Heavyweight Title has been made official, with Goto set to put the title on the line on March 15 at a New Japan Cup event.

Goto defeated Zack Sabre Jr. for the title at the New Beginning in Osaka, and registered his first successful defence of the belt with victory over Hiroshi Tanahashi at the NJPW 53rd Anniversary show on March 6. After prevailing against ‘The Ace’, Goto was challenged once again by two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata, with New Japan sanctioning a title bout between the two for March 15.

For Nagata, this is his first opportunity at the main title in New Japan since 2011, when Tanahashi successfully defended the belt against him on two occasions during the year. Nagata last held gold in New Japan in 2016 with a quick run as NEVER Openweight Champion, with his last IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign coming in 2007.

Goto and Nagata last clashed in singles competition during the 2022 New Japan Cup, with Goto defeating Nagata in a first-round bout.

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