Mitt Romney vs Evander Holyfield: One-time Republican presidential hopeful to take on former heavyweight champion in charity boxing match

'It will either be a very short fight, or I will be knocked unconscious,' said Mr Romney of the clash

Former Republican presidential contender and the former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield (Getty Images)

Mitt Romney recently decided against a third run at the biggest prize in politics, but it seems he’s still a glutton for punishment. The two-time Republican presidential contender announced on Monday that he will face former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield in an exhibition boxing match.

The 68-year-old former governor of Massachusetts will present his sizable jaw to Mr Holyfield, 52, at a charity event in Salt Lake City on 15 May. At six-foot-one, Mr Holyfield is an inch shorter than Mr Romney; on the other hand, he beat the likes of George Foreman and Mike Tyson to win the world heavyweight title five times.

The bout has been organised to raise funds for Charity Vision, a humanitarian organisation providing medical resources for eye operations in poverty-stricken regions across the globe. It was founded by retired Salt Lake City doctor Bill Jackson, who, like Mr Romney, is a Mormon. Mr Romney and several of his family members travelled to Peru last year to witness the charity’s work there.

The boxing match is a black-tie event and will feature several other, more serious bouts. As for Romney vs Holyfield, “It will either be a very short fight, or I will be knocked unconscious,” Mr Romney told the Salt Lake City Tribune. “It won’t be much of a fight. We’ll both suit up and get in the ring and spar around a little bit.”