Boxing has seen its fair share of comebacks, but this one seems the unlikeliest of all. Mickey Rourke is reportedly about to make his return to professional boxing at the age of 62. Agence France Presse is reporting that the Oscar-nominated actor, who fought professionally between 1991 and 1994 and amassed a record of 6-0-2, will fight Elliot Seymour on the undercard of the light welterweight fight between Ruslan Provodnikov and Jose Luis Castillo in Moscow on November 28.
“Boxing is a serious part of my life,” Rourke is quoted as saying. “It taught me respect and determination, patience and concentration. I always dreamed of fighting a match in Russia.” According to box rec, Seymour is a 1-9 fighter and is listed as a light middleweight (154 pounds). Rourke was listed as a light heavyweight (175 pounds) during his 90’s career, so it will be interesting to see that what the catchweight is for this one.
Freddie Roach trained Rourke in the 1990s when he was last fighting in the paid ranks, and USA Today reports that he will man the corner for this unlikely and rather risky comeback (Roach is also head trainer for Ruslan Provodnikov). In his earlier career Rourke suffered several facial injuries that required surgery. What do you think of Rourke’s decision to do this? At 62, lacing up again seems ill advised at best.
