Laurence Bassini challenges Simon Jordan to £100m fight with Tyson Fury as coach in bizarre update on bid to buy Birmingham

Prospective Birmingham City owner Laurence Bassini challenged talkSPORT host Simon Jordan to a fight during a bizarre update on his bid to buy the Blues.

The British businessman joined talkSPORT to provide new information on his attempts to take over at St Andrew’s – but the call descended into chaos.

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Bassini spoke to White and Jordan about his impending takeover

Bassini eventually disclosed a £30million bid to buy the Championship club and promised to win the league with up to £100m of extra investment.

However, the 52-year-old spent the majority of his time on air taking aim at ex-Crystal Palace owner Jordan, who has been critical of the former Watford chief and called him an ‘odd one’ during a talkSPORT appearance last month.

Bassini has previously been declared bankrupt, oversaw a turbulent time at Vicarage Road, served a three-year ban from football and attempted to buy Bolton.

Despite numerous attempts from host Jim White to find out the latest ongoings between Bassini and Birmingham, the prospective owner spent ten minutes ranting.

“I’m about to take you to Birmingham City but first I want to say a couple of things,” he said.

“Last time we spoke, I want to be very clear on this, people say a lot of things about me and that’s fine.

The Sun

Jordan laughed off Bassini’s rant

“I never mock you and I don’t make fun of you. There’s been a lot of things that are said.

“Simon, when you say that I’m the ‘odd one’, I’ve never been disrespectful.

“It’s all going to come out now, I’ve just been on the phone with David Sullivan [West Ham co-owner] and we’ve had a long conversation.

“I’m now going to disclose some things, but Tyson Fury said he’s happy to train me, me and you can have a boxing match with £100m on it – which can go to charity!

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Bassini claimed to be in contact with Fury about a fight with Jordan

“I am buying the club and let me tell you something, you guys make fun of me, you’ve slagged me off with Watford.

“You’re a failed owner of Crystal Palace!”

When Jordan responded by calling Bassini a ‘buffoon’ and telling him to get to the point, the prospective Birmingham buyer appeared to fly off the handle, shouting Simon’s name repeatedly.

He added: “Simon, I’ve always been respectful to you, you use the microphone to say things about me.

talkSPORT

White grew frustrated with Bassini’s failure to address the question

“Tell me where and when! I’m sick of you slagging me off.”

After 11 minutes on air without a definitive answer, despite promising big news on his Birmingham takeover, Bassini delivered a defence of his wealth by listing assets accredited to him.

And, eventually, he gave Birmingham fans the update they were waiting for, while calling out deal-broker Keith Harris and revealing support from West Ham co-owner Sullivan in his bid.

Bassini also revealed he has changed his plan from a three-year ownership model and now intends to stay for an indefinite period.

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Fans at Birmingham are crying out for competent ownership

He said: “I have sent £30m to the lawyers and directors of Birmingham City. I am also going to put in another £70m to £80m to £100m.

“You know why I’m going to stay in football? Because I’m going to show all of you lot and I’m going to win the league.”

At this point, Jordan interjected and asked if he meant the ‘village idiot league’.

Bassini continued: “I want the fans to come to the board meeting. I’m going to pay £35m to £40m and I’m going to clear the debts and straighten things up.

“Some of it has been written off because of the Hong Kong stock market. Keith Harris can’t be on the board because he’s a dishonest man – he can sue me if he likes.

“I would like to be there within the next week or two, getting things sorted.

“The reason there has been a delay is because I’m changing chairman. I’ve decided I’m not going to stay in football for three years, I’m going to stay as long as it takes and prove a point.”

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