Bob Sapp Speaks at Japanese Press Conference

This was his first public appearance since he took off from Amsterdam arena two months ago. And interestingly, instead of some hotel of office, Bob Sapp had chosen The Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan located in the Yurakucho district of Tokyo for his press conference. The club, obviously, is for journalists and correspondents from outside Japan and usually a press conference held in this place is filled with non-Japanese journalists, but on this date, there was limited presence from overseas publications.

The press conference began with Sapp's representative reading an official statement released back on June 27th, in both the English and Japanese languages. However, later, all of the Q & A was conducted only in English.

Sapp did not reveal details of his contract with K-1 but admitted that a 'long-term exclusivity' clause that is still in effect and expressed that this current situation 'In real terms, I am being forced to retire'.

Then Sapp had an outburst of discontentment, 'At this point, amicable settlement is going to be very difficult. I just want to fight. I need to make a living. I don't want to leave Japan in such a dishonourable way.'

However it seems like Sapp is not willing to engage in an ugly court battle, 'If they don't like me then better yet, just leave me alone.' Apparently Sapp's only hope, at this point, is to be released from this 'long-term exclusive contract'.

Sapp's lawyer, Michael Connette, who also represents DSE in the United States, sat next to Sapp at this press conference but denied any DSE involvement in the matter. Sapp also denied the rumor about PRIDE offering him a contract. FEG, the organizer of K-1 shows, basically declined to make any official statements on this date because they didn't have a clear understanding of the content of this press conference.