Zuck declined offer, not interested Musk tells Sangiuliano

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 17 - 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. (ANSA).