Bobby Roode: I want to fight Sting in the UK

TNA world champion Bobby Roode has begged for a match with Sting on TNA's UK tour later this month. Roode won the belt in November after turning heel on his tag team partner James Storm and is now one of the most hated villains in the wrestling business. And, in an exclusive interview with SunSport, he revealed: "Being the Champ is one of the reasons I got into this business in the first place — and it's a good feeling! "I may be under pressure and be busy all the time, but I want to run with this as long as I can. "I'll defend my belt against anyone who comes after it but my dream is to battle Sting. "He's been a real thorn in my side so it would be great to beat him up all over the UK. "It's his first trip there in a decade, which makes the thought of pinning his shoulders to the mat even more appealing." The UK is a very special place for Bobby. It is where his Beer Money in tandem with Storm was first formed and, on last year's shows, saw them managed by his boyhood hero Ric Flair. Looking back on those times, Roode said: "It was on the first TNA UK tour that me and James were paired up and Beer Money was born. "Then to work with Flair was unbelievable, it was an honour to have him with us. He is a legend and I'd say he is the best champion ever in this business. "We learned so much and his stories on the road are always amazing. "The UK crowds are wonderful but I get the feeling they may not like me as much this time around!" Roode also spoke to us about a third wrestling legend — Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster made some negative comments about Roode before October's Bound For Glory — TNA's biggest event of the year – saying he wasn't ready to be world champ. Roode lost to Kurt Angle on that show and had to wait another few weeks before finally getting the gold around his waist. But he told us: "Those comments Hogan made never bothered me, there is a method to the madness in wrestling and things are said all the time, who knows what is right or wrong. "To be frank I think that situation worked in my favour, it helped fire me up and got me to where I am now. "I am now the face of the company and I plan on being so for a long time. "I want to be the best champion ever. That's not just here in TNA, I want to make my mark across the wrestling world. "My aim is to become the most hated guy to step foot in the business!" THE SUN .