Bob Sapp says he will fight Mike Tyson anytime, anywhere.
The 29-year-old former NFL lineman held a press conference yesterday to let the world know he's ready to take on the 37-year-old former heavyweight boxing champion.
"I'm confident I could beat him," Sapp told reporters. "I know he wants to fight me and all we have to do now is work out the rules."
Sapp and Tyson engaged in a heated verbal exchange on Aug. 15 in Las Vegas after 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. On Aug. 23, Tyson signed a deal with Japan's K-1 organization.
"At first, I didn't know what he was doing in the ring," said Sapp. "Then I realized he was willing to put to rest what is better: K-1 or boxing. My advice to him was to get out of the ring because K-1 is a superior sport."
K-1, hugely popular in Japan, combines karate, taekwondo and kickboxing. Bouts are regularly staged before crowds of up to 70,000 and the sport has been looking to tap into the lucrative American market.
Sapp, nicknamed "The Beast," is a 193cm, 170kg former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman, who has made a name for himself in Japan through K-1.
Tyson, who hasn't fought since stopping Clifford Etienne in February, recently filed for bankruptcy protection in New York. Recent filings indicate Tyson owes US$17 million in back taxes and another US$10 million in other debts.
One major obstacle to the fight could be Tyson's ongoing legal troubles.
Tyson, who served three years on a rape conviction, pleaded innocent in July to misdemeanor assault, harassment and disorderly conduct charges for a June 21 incident outside a Brooklyn hotel. He faces up to a year if convicted of the latest charges.
"Tyson's people have said they want a fight before the end of the year," said K-1 promoter Sadaharu Tanikawa. "It may be in the States, but first we have to decide on a date."
The only other details that need to be ironed out are the rules.
"I know Mike wants to fight under boxing rules," said Sapp. "But I'm expecting to fight under K-1 rules because they incorporate boxing and kickboxing and that way we both win."
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