X and Tesla boss Elon Musk suggested
on Thursday there will be no cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg in
Italy as mooted, blaming the Facebook founder for failing to
agree to the terms laid down for the meeting by Italian Culture
Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
Replying directly and in Italian to a post on X by Sangiuliano
on August 11, Musk thanked the minister for his "kindness and
willingness to organize an entertainment, cultural and charity
event in Italy".
"We wanted to promote the history of Ancient Rome with the
support of experts and at the same time raise money for American
Veterans and children's hospitals in Italy. Zuckerberg declined
the offer because he is not interested in this approach. He just
wants to fight if the UFC organizes the fight. I'm always ready
to fight anyway," added Musk.
On Sunday night Zuckerberg posted that Musk was "not serious"
about the fighting.
"It's time to move on from this idea," said the 39-year-old
billionaire on Threads, the new social network to rival X.
Musk, 52, retorted that Zuckerberg was trying to "chicken out"
of the proposed mixed martial arts (MMA) fight, for which the
rivals had proposed Italy as a venue, and which has generated
extreme media interest despite widespread belief that it is a
publicity stunt that will never happen.
Sangiuliano, who initially got flak for going along with the
proposal, has said that the fight, if it goes ahead, will not be
in Rome.
Several Italian sites have come forward to host the meeting,
including the arena in Santa Maria Capua Vetere near Naples
where legendary Roman rebel gladiator Spartacus fought and
Verona's Roman amphitheater.
On Monday Florence Mayor Dario Nardella also touted a battle of
the intellect between the two men in lieu of a physical fight,
possibly in the city's Piazza della Signoria.
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