Mike Tyson is broadening his horizons.
The 37-year-old former heavyweight boxing champion has signed a contract with Japan's K-1 organization, setting up a potential showdown with former NFL lineman Bob Sapp, K-1's director of media relations said Wednesday in Tokyo.
"The timing was right this time," said the K-1 official, who asked that he not be named. "Mike is very interested in K-1 and has seen many bouts on video."
Sapp, nicknamed "The Beast," is a 193cm, 170kg former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman, who has made a name for himself through K-1. He's a huge celebrity in Japan, where he pushes everything from DVD players to fabric softeners.
Sapp and Tyson engaged in a heated verbal exchange two weeks ago in Las Vegas after the 29-year-old Sapp defeated American Kimo Leopoldo in the K-1 World GP 2003.
Tyson made his way into the ring for Sapp's post-bout celebration and the two had to be separated. According to some media reports, a Tyson-Sapp bout is tentatively scheduled for late December.
"I think it will be interesting," Sapp was quoted as saying on K-1's official Web site. "Tyson represents boxing, which he believes is the best fighting sport. I don't know what rules will apply if he fights in K-1, but hopefully we'll see which style of fighting is superior."
K-1 combines karate, taekwondo and kickboxing and is tremendously popular in Japan. Bouts are regularly staged before crowds of up to 70,000 and the sport has been looking to tap into the American market. "Having someone with the name recognition of Tyson certainly will help," said the K-1 official.
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