The battle of the billionaires continued to take shape with one “ready to fight” and the other prepared to teach his opponent “a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
The platform rivalry between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk drew one step closer to a real life charity grudge match as boastful barbs were hurled online. Taking to Threads, the Facebook founder took a shot at his rival for allegedly stalling.
“I love this sport and I’ve been ready to fight since the day Elon challenged me. If he ever agrees on an actual date, you’ll hear it from me. Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on,” read Zuckerberg’s post as he reminded of a proposed Aug. 26 date.
He went on to add, “Not holding my breath for Elon, but I’ll share details on my next fight when I’m ready. When I compete, I want to do it in a way that puts a spotlight on the elite athletes at the top of the game. You do that by working with professional orgs like the UFC or ONE to pull this off well and create a great card.”
Firing back at the Meta head on X, Musk turned up the heat and posted, “If Zuck…really wants a lesson in why there are weight categories in fighting so badly, I could just head over to his house next week and teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
If Zuck my really wants a lesson in why there are weight categories in fighting so badly, I could just head over to his house next week and teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
Dating back to June when Musk had initially challenged, “I’m up for a cage match if he is lol,” to which Zuckerberg accepted, both billionaires have spoke to their training and expectations of the matchup.
Previously, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had teased the possibility of holding the matchup at the Colosseum and, though not confirmed, he hinted toward that idea or something comparable as he countered his opponents expectation of a fight league’s involvement.
“The fight will be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC). Livestream will be on this platform and Meta. Everything in camera frame will be ancient Rome, so nothing modern at all. I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture. They have agreed on an epic location,” Musk wrote Friday.
He went on to argue “Everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy,” before reasserting proceeds would go to veterans and added “pediatric hospitals in Italy.”
Everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
And pediatric hospitals in Italy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
As to Zuckerberg’s suggestion that his rival was stalling, Musk further suggested he was ready to go, but other factors were at play. “Otherwise, we will do it as soon as the arena in Italy is ready. Or we could do both and consider next week just a practice session.”
Another factor which could play a role was the current wealthiest man’s admission that a recent doctor’s visit had set him up for minor surgery.
“I spent 3 hours in an MRI machine on Monday. Bottom line is that my C5/C6 fusion is solid, so not an issue. However,” explained Musk, “there is a problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs, which requires minor surgery. Recovery will only take a few months.”
I spent 3 hours in an MRI machine on Monday. Bottom line is that my C5/C6 fusion is solid, so not an issue.
However, there is a problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs, which requires minor surgery. Recovery will only take a few months.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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