IWGP Junior title match set for NJPW 53rd Anniversary show

The first match is set for NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary event scheduled for Thursday, March 6.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado will defend the title against Francesco Akira in a bout announced on Tuesday night.

Akira laid out the challenge to Desperado following Desperado’s successful title defense against Kosei Fujita on Tuesday’s Road to The New Beginning event at Korakuen Hall.

Desperado is currently in his fifth reign as IWGP Junior Champion, and has managed two successful defenses since capturing the title from DOUKI at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. That match was stopped early due to injury when DOUKI suffered an arm injury on a senton to the floor.

The annual Anniversary event kicks off a huge month for NJPW with the single elimination New Japan Cup tournament kicking off the following day on March 7. New Japan Cup matches may also be added to the Anniversary show.

NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary event will stream on NJPW World on Thursday, March 6.