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

(Image credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

last updated 15 May 2015

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.