This photo of Mitt Romney and Evander Holyfield is the most surreal thing you'll see all day

(Image credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Amid the furious speculation about what Mitt Romney would do after losing the 2012 election, no one guessed he'd willingly get beaten up in a boxing match against former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. And yet, Friday night, the 68-year-old Republican will face off against the 52-year-old retired boxer for charity.

On Thursday, the unlikely pair met for a most surreal weigh-in and photo-op. They joked around on stage and then got serious for a classic pre-fight face-off photo. Romney, with his tight-lipped grin and the cordial crows-feet gathering at his eyes, looks more like the embodiment of an apology that Holyfield doesn't hear:

The event is expected to raise $1 million for Charity Vision. Considering the kind-hearted purpose, surely the pro will go easy on the pol. He may not be able to take another blowout loss.

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.