Nevertheless, even late American journalist Plimpton, famous for his forays into professional sport and who sparred with boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson, might have drawn the line at Tiger Jeet Singh.

FEARSOME SIGHT

A fearsome sight in his trademark turban and his sword clenched between his teeth, the 63-year-old Tiger had threatened to tear Cromartie limb from limb.

As if on cue, a mass brawl erupted at their pre-fight press conference last week where one over-zealous Japanese cameraman was left bleeding after Tiger trampled on his head.

"There was no fear really," insisted the Florida-born Cromartie. "I was up there before, bases loaded, two outs, 50,000 people screaming. I've been through that pressure thing before."

Cromartie, who was not averse to throwing the occasional punch at opposing pitchers during his career, was simply relieved to come out of his brush with Tiger unscathed.

"At one point Tiger had the turban around my neck choking me," he said. "That was an experience. The knot in my stomach is loosening now, though, because it's over."

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