Elon Musk said Friday that his much-hyped cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg would take place in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about hosting a great charity event.

While any showdown between the two tech titans has yet to be officially confirmed, Musk said on his X social media platform - formerly known as Twitter - that arrangements were advancing.

I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture, Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They have agreed on an epic location.

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed speaking to Musk about how to organize a great charity event evoking history but said any match will not be held in Rome.

Musk apparently hopes the fight would take place in the ancient Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, posting about the idea in late June.

In a statement, Sangiuliano said any event with Musk would raise a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals.

It will also be an opportunity to promote our history and our archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage on a global scale, he said.

Musk said everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy and that proceeds will go to veterans.

He said the cage match would be managed by foundations run by himself and Zuckerberg and not by UFC, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promoter.

UFC boss Dana White, still seeking participation in the event, toldMike Tysons podcast this week that he believed the fight would generate $1 billion in revenue.

The two tech tycoons, who have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerbergs Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July.

In a slightly frivolous aside, Musk later Friday posted a phrase in Latin that translates as it is delightful to play the fool occasionally.

Musk did not mention a date for the proposed fight, but said he may need to undergo minor surgery to resolve a problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs.

Recovery will only take a few months, he added.

The worlds richest person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae together but said Friday it is currently not an issue.

Zuckerberg, a martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiujitsu competitions, did not immediately comment. (AFP)