Mitt Romney is ready to go down swinging.
The 2012 GOP presidential nominee is suiting up to fight former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield at a Utah charity event Friday, and there’s video evidence to prove it.
“You may think this is just a joke, but I’m taking this very seriously,” Romney says in a video message posted to YouTube in advance of the boxing matchup. He is also seen putting on boxing gloves and lifting weights.
The clip also features commentary from Romney’s opponent, Holyfield, who laughs, “Does he even work out?”
Romney, 68, and Holyfield, 52, will fight at the May 15 black-tie fundraising event in Salt Lake City hosted by Charity Vision, the founder of which is a good friend of the former presidential candidate.
The humanitarian organization was founded two decades ago by retired physician Bill Jackson and is dedicated to providing poor areas worldwide with medical equipment used to correct vision problems.
Romney joked in March that he might be “knocked unconscious” during the bout.
“It won’t be much of a fight,” he said. “We’ll both suit up and get in the ring and spar around a little bit.”
Holyfield, who according to his website is “the only five-time heavyweight champion of the world,” said on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” earlier this month that he doesn’t “want to get hit.”
However, Ann Romney in a recent interview with People magazine predicted that the fight will be “more of a comedy sketch.”
For those looking for a little less comedy and a little more blood, the charity event will also feature competitive boxing matchups in addition to that between Romney and Holyfield.
H/T The Hill
