WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Peter King of New York is lacing up his boxing gloves for a fight that has nothing to do with budget cuts.
The 68-year-old Republican is known more for his bare-knuckle politics than his pugilistic skills. He said Wednesday he plans to step into the ring Saturday for a two-round exhibition bout against a New York state kickboxing champion, "Irish" Josh Foley, at a pub in Wantagh, N.Y.
"Some people have been comparing my bout with Foley to Tiger Woods playing golf with President Obama," King said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "If Foley goes all out, it will be a very quick fight."
The congressman said he weighs in at about 230 pounds and has been training for about nine years. The bout isn't for charity, he said.
"We'll be sparring," King said. "If anyone is going to get knocked out, it will be me. I can tell you that much."
He also joked that while he plans to throw real punches, Foley will probably throw "sort-of-real punches."
King said that back in 1991, he sparred with former pro Seamus McDonagh in an exhibition bout on the 20th anniversary of the first Joe Frazier-Muhammad Ali fight.
"I've been a big boxing fan for a long time," he said.
While King expects about 1,000 people for his bout, his wife, Rosemary, won't be in the crowd.
"It's her birthday and she hates boxing," he said. "She's already told the police not to bother to come and get her if anything happens to me."
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