The more interesting square off involving a Colorado U.S. Senate candidate would be:

A) The Democratic and Republican office seekers debating health care and economic stimuli; or

B) The Libertarian hopeful throwing punches with Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Rick Stanley, the state's lone third-party Senate candidate, has challenged the former professional wrestler and only third-party governor in America to a three-round boxing match. The event would generate publicity for Stanley and could be used to raise money for both men's re-election campaigns, he theorized.

Ventura, known as "The Body" during his days as a pro wrestler, doesn't plan to respond, spokesman Paul Moore said. "The governor's got a 2-billion-dollar deficit; he's got a job to do."

But Stanley, a former bouncer who estimates he's been in 500 fights, said he'll keep pushing until the men are in a ring pummeling each other.

"I think it would be good for him, I think it would be good for third parties," Stanley said Wednesday. "He'd get money for his campaign. I'd get money for my campaign. We'd get a national forum for our ideas."

Most attention in this Senate race, expected to be among the country's most watched, has gone to GOP incumbent Wayne Allard and Democratic challenger Tom Strickland. Stanley, who owns a small parts supply business, thinks the Senate has eroded constitutional rights. He has raised little money and hasn't been involved in talks or debates.

So he wants to grab attention by sparring with a governor whose fans printed bumper stickers after his election bragging "Our governor can beat up your governor."

Stanley, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 240 pounds, faxed the challenge to Minnesota on Feb. 4.

Moore said Ventura, listed at 6-4 and 250 pounds, has received similar challenges but doesn't bother paying attention to them.

The Body has won Round 1. But Stanley says he's got more jabs left.

"Jesse Ventura knows how to push buttons - so do I," he said.

Representatives for Allard and Strickland were amused by the challenge but said they have no plans to employ similar strategies.

"We look forward to a debate on the issues in many different forums, but don't expect one of those to be a boxing ring," said Strickland's press secretary, Chris Watney.