According to reports, Mickey Rourke, the 62-year-old actor, is set to compete in an actual boxing match against 29-year-old American pro boxer Elliot Seymour in a five-round fight taking place in Moscow, Russia on November 28th.

Rourke is being coached by legendary trainer Freddie Roach, who’s trained the likes of boxers Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, and Miguel Cotto among many others, as well as MMA stars Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Andrei Arlovski.

For those unfamiliar with Rourke’s past, here’s a little Wiki history lesson. Before Rourke became an actor, he was a talented amateur boxer in Florida, going 27-3 (with 17 of those wins coming by way of KO) from 1964 to 1973 (ages 12 to 21). Some issues with injury, including multiple concussions, forced him to walk away from the sport, which ultimately led him to Hollywood.

Rourke’s star rose as an actor with roles in movies like 9 1/2 Weeks, but he eventually became difficult to work with. This ultimately led him back to boxing as he felt he was “self-destructing” and didn’t know where else to turn. In his return to the ring, Rourke went 6-0-2, with four wins by KO. Roach trained him during this time as well.

But this return also resulted in plenty of injuries, forcing him to get reconstructive surgery on his face (surgery that did not go well, for those of you wondering why he doesn’t look the same as he did before).

Rourke’s been acting ever since, even scoring an Oscar nomination and Golden Globes and BAFTA wins for his role in The Wrestler as an aging wrestler who continues to compete despite not being nearly healthy enough to do so. In the movie, his character comes out to the song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses, which was Rourke’s entrance song as a boxer.

While Rourke’s story is a fascinating one, it also begs one monumental question: why on Earth would he, at 62 year of age, want to step back in the ring with 29-year-old pro? I’m not familiar with Seymour or how talented he is, and those close to Rourke have said he’s done plenty of sparring with younger boxers and, for his age, is in perfect physical condition. Even so, you can’t help but be a little concerned for the well-being of Rourke here.

What do you think about 62-year-old Mickey Rourke stepping in the ring with a 29-year-old pro next week?

[Source: TASS]