Former Japanese wrestler turned politician Kanji "Antonio" Inoki strikes out at Muhammad Ali during an exhibition fight in Tokyo, July 5, 1976.
Inoki takes on Muhammad Ali —
Former Japanese wrestler turned politician Kanji "Antonio" Inoki strikes out at Muhammad Ali during an exhibition fight in Tokyo, July 5, 1976.
Allsport Hulton/Archive
Inoki poses for photographers at a press conference in Tokyo, August 21. He's organized a two-day wrestling competition in Pyongyang, featuring former NFL player Bob "The Beast" Sapp.
Former wrestler leading NK tour —
Inoki poses for photographers at a press conference in Tokyo, August 21. He's organized a two-day wrestling competition in Pyongyang, featuring former NFL player Bob "The Beast" Sapp.
AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Retired wrestler turned Japanese lawmaker Antonio Inoki arrives in Pyongyang.
'Wrestling diplomacy' in North Korea —
Retired wrestler turned Japanese lawmaker Antonio Inoki arrives in Pyongyang.
Will Ripley, CNN
Antonio Inoki's arrival in North Korea has generated considerable interest.
'Wrestling diplomacy' in North Korea —
Antonio Inoki's arrival in North Korea has generated considerable interest.
Will Ripley, CNN
Fight flashback. In December 2003, former NFL player Bob Sapp (right) takes on Hawaiian-born former sumo wrestler Taro Akebono in a K-1 bout in Nagoya, Japan. Sapp won by technical knockout.
Weekend event includes former stars —
Fight flashback. In December 2003, former NFL player Bob Sapp (right) takes on Hawaiian-born former sumo wrestler Taro Akebono in a K-1 bout in Nagoya, Japan. Sapp won by technical knockout.
JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
Earlier this year, former U.S. basketball player Dennis Rodman caused a stir by organizing a basketball event in North Korea, during which he sang<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fnorth-korea-dennis-rodman%2Findex.html"> "Happy Birthday" </a>to the North Korean leader.
Rodman's 'basketball diplomacy' —
Earlier this year, former U.S. basketball player Dennis Rodman caused a stir by organizing a basketball event in North Korea, during which he sang "Happy Birthday" to the North Korean leader.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
This photo taken on January 8 shows Rodman and Kim with other former NBA players at Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang.
Best of friends? —
This photo taken on January 8 shows Rodman and Kim with other former NBA players at Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang.
AFP/Getty Images/KCNA VIS KNS
In the past, Rodman has referred to Kim Jong Un as his "friend." The North Korean leader is seen here in an undated photo inspecting the Number 2 factor of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
Kim inspects work —
In the past, Rodman has referred to Kim Jong Un as his "friend." The North Korean leader is seen here in an undated photo inspecting the Number 2 factor of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
AFP/Getty/KCNA VIA KNS
This undated picture, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 28, shows Kim attending a performance given by the State Merited Chorus at the People's Theater in Pyongyang.
Attending a performance —
This undated picture, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 28, shows Kim attending a performance given by the State Merited Chorus at the People's Theater in Pyongyang.
AFP/Getty/KCNA VIA KNS