Mitt Romney is well used to going toe-to-toe with America 's political heavyweights , but now he 's going to test his mettle against a heavyweight of a more intimidating nature – Evander Holyfield . The 2012 presidential nominee will fight the 52-year-old former world champion at a charity event at Salt Lake City 's Rail Event Center on May 15 . However , he does n't anticipate getting his opponent on the ropes . Mitt Romney is well used to going toe-to-toe with America 's political heavyweights , but now he 's going to test his mettle against a heavyweight of a more intimidating nature – Evander Holyfield . Romney , 68 , who recently announced he will not be running for president in 2016 , told The Salt Lake Tribune : 'It will either be a very short fight , or I will be knocked unconscious . It wo n't be much of a fight . We 'll both suit up and get in the ring and spar around a little bit . ' He added : 'We just thought it would be a lot better to provide this kind of entertainment rather than just have dinner and listen to speakers . ' The bizarre bout is taking place to raise money for CharityVision , which provides equipment to doctors in developing countries treating people with curable blindness . Romney will fight the 52-year-old former world champion ( pictured ) at a charity event at Salt Lake City 's Rail Event Center on May 15 . ROMNEY . Age : 68 . Weight : 185 pounds . Height 6ft 1in . Reach : Unknown . Wins : 0 ( 1 presidential defeat ) HOLYFIELD . Age : 52 . Weight : 226 pounds . height 6ft 2in . Reach : 78 inches . Wins : 44 . The event is a black-tie occasion that will also feature fights between professional boxers . Holyfield famously had part of his ear bitten off in a fight with Mike Tyson in 1997 . It 's doubtful Romney will resort to such dirty tactics in May . Holyfield has since rebuilt his relationship with Tyson and they recently appeared at Village East Cinema in New York for a screening of new documentary Champs , which tells their story , and that of Bernard Hopkins . Directed by Bert Marcus , Champs focuses on the aforementioned trio 's rise from poverty to the top of the sport . Holyfield last fought in 2011 . The lack of practice is n't likely to prevent victory in the next one . Tyson and Holyfield pose for photographs almost 20 years after their infamous rematch .
Former presidential nominee will fight Mike Tyson in Salt Lake City in May . 'It will either be a very short fight , or I 'll be knocked out ' - Romney . Mike Tyson had part of his ear bitten off in a fight with Holyfield in 1997 .