Charles Saatchi and Spectator columnist Taki challenge each other to a cage fight over Nigella comments
Charles Saatchi and Spectator columnist Taki appear to be gearing up to face each other in a no holds barred cage fight – if the title’s letters page is anything to go by.
Challenge: The Spectator did a mock up of a 'Grudge Match' poster
Following a column by Taki defending Saatchi’s ex-wife Nigella Lawson, Saatchi wrote in to the Spectator’s letters page to criticise Taki’s “hapless” defence of Lawson, and went on to boast about his cage-fighting ability.
“People tell me that in your unreadable column you also like to brag that you are a Black Belt at karate,” Saatchi wrote. “Well, me too, old boy. But apparently your ‘fights’ are genteel affairs, against other soppy geriatrics rolling around the floor in crisp white outfits, in some bit of judokai nonsense.
“Mine take place in cages, 20 feet square, unofficial little events with no gloves, no rules, and the loser being carried out, usually battered to bits.”
He added: “You will understand why I laughed out loud at your schoolyard boast that I should try throttling a real hard case like you.”
In response, Taki took up the challenge: “I am 77 years old, 5ft 9in and weigh 185lbs. I am willing to face him any time under cage fighting non-rules, which will be a first for me. I need three days’ notice.”
Fraser Nelson of The Spectator, clearly enjoying the spectacle, wrote: “If Taki and Charles are serious, we’d be happy to stage the contest in the garden of The Spectator, with proceeds from the ticket sales going to The Boxing Academy in East London. We’ll keep you posted.”
Saatchi, 70, has been in and out of the headlines since the summer when he accepted a police caution after being photographed with his hands around Lawson’s neck at a restaurant in London. The pair were then at the centre of a court case which saw two of their former assistants cleared of committing fraud.