A popular pop culture icon in Japan, K-1 fighter Bob Sapp appears on CNN’s Talk Asia. The show airs on 5 July at 7 pm with repeats on 6 July at 8 am and 7 July at 8 am and 6 pm.

In the half hour interview, the former National Football League player discusses with host Lorraine Hahn the ups and downs of his life, and the ‘Beast Phenomenon’. Sapp is wildly popular with Japanese people, and with advertisers in Japan.

An official release informs that K-1 is a sport that combines kickboxing, Asian martial arts, and boxing, and continues to grow in popularity. Sapp, known as “The Beast”, is a big reason for this growth. He is popular in Japan because despite his massive size, he’s known as a man with a gentle character.

He says, “The Beast Phenomenon - I don’t know why but I feel that it shows - I have a level of sincerity that I like to show everyone. When I’m in the ring, you can definitely tell when I’m in pain, I’m going to show it. Some fighters don’t show it, but I will show that I’m in pain and I will give it my all, 100% of the time. And, I believe that the majority of the people see this. And they of course associate themselves, ‘Hey, this guy’s out there, he’s trying hard, he’s giving a 100 per cent.’ So, they love everything they see.”

Sapp also talks about his training, his plans for the future and the differences of his life in Japan and back in the United States.