Mickey Rourke's return to boxing was a highly expendable affair.
The 62 year old actor on Friday won an exhibition bout in Russia by knockout dropping his 29 year old opponent twice with a pair of suspect looking punches.
TV footage from the five bout fight at a Moscow concert hall showed the Sin City actor trading a series of limp body blows with former California Golden Gloves champ Elliot Seymour.
Rourke's first knockdown a puffball right to the younger brawler's ribs came at 1 34 left in round two.
The second occurred 20 seconds later after a wild left that sent Seymour to one knee.
Ivan Sekretarev/AP Rourke celebrating his second round victory. It was the first time he stepped into the ring in 20 years.
Seymour kept his head down as the referee counted him out and then signaled victory for the actor turned pugilist.
The Russian fans however eagerly lapped up the Diner' star's thin gruel hailing Rourke with chants of Misha a nickname for Mikhail as he exited the ring.
Seymour who has a 1 9 record as a pro barely landed any blows on Rourke who said he planned to hold another four fights in Russia.
I've got some things going on in my life so boxing has sort of saved me from myself Rourke told Russian TV. And for a man like me it's better to live in fear than go on in shame.
Ivan Sekretarev/AP Rourke following the bout. In the run up to the fight the 62 year old called boxing 'a serious part of my life.'Ivan Sekretarev/AP 'I always dreamed of fighting a match in Russia ' Rourke said.Ivan Sekretarev/AP Rourke said he planned to hold four more fights in Russia. Enlarge
Rourke's latest swing at The Sweet Science comes more than 20 years after he hung up his gloves following a three year boxing career in the '90s.
Though he went undefeated with six wins and two draws Rourke blamed the stint for ruining his leading man looks and prompting him to undergo several rounds of plastic surgery.
The actor reportedly dropped 35 pounds training for the bout and had famed trainer Freddie Roach who worked with Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson in his corner.
I always dreamed of fighting a match in Russia ' said Rourke whose girlfriend is Russian supermodel Anastassija Makarenko.
His skeletal appearance at a weigh in earlier this week stunned fans who recalled his hulking physique as washed up pro wrestler Randy The Ram Robinson in the 2008 film The Wrestler.
However the Hollywood heavyweight's flair for showmanship and eye catching attire remained intact as he sauntered to the ring in a Stetson hat gold gloves and red and gold trimmed trunks bearing his nickname Marielito along with the phrase always handsome in Spanish.
Both Rourke and Seymour were reportedly paid handsomely for the fight but organizers remained mum on how much.
With News Wire Services
ON A MOBILE DEVICE WATCH VIDEO HERE
JUMP TO 3 45 TO SEE THE KNOCKDOWNS
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