Charles Saatchi challenges journalist to cage fight after Nigella supporting column

Charles Saatchi has challenged Spectator journalist Taki to a cage fight after he wrote in his column that the art collector was one of the art scene's biggest rogues and pirates and, even among the world's most disgusting men.

The latter referred to how Taki believes Saatchi treated Nigella Lawson following the breakdown of their marriage, the celebrity chef's humiliation over drug use allegations during the high-profile court case brought against his former Pas, the Grillo sisters (later cleared of all charges), and the throttling incident outside Scott's restaurant over the summer, the Independent reported.

Saatchi, 70, leapt to his own defence, and penned an acerbic open letter, which said that Nigella had always found Taki "toe-curlingly vile," and would have been horrified at having him as her valiant supporter.

And then he threw the floor open to Taki, who is long known for possessing a black belt in karate - an ancient martial art that Saatchi dismisses as soppy geriatrics rolling around the floor in crisp white outfits.

Saatchi said that his own fights 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.

Astonishingly, Taki seems to have accepted the dual - providing that he's given at least three days' notice' to prepare.

He said that he was willing to face Satchi any time under cage-fighting non-rules, which would be a first for him.