Mickey Rourke: Provodnikov Inspired My Ring Return

By Gregory Stangrit

On November 28th in Moscow, local boxing fans will witness the professional ring return of 62-year-old Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke . His opponent will be 29-year-old American middleweight boxer Elliot Seymour (1-9, 1KO). The show is headlined by a battle of former champions with Ruslan Provodnikov facing Jose Luis Castillo.

Rourke started boxing at age 12, when he lived with his mother and stepfather, in Miami. After gaining popularity on the big screen, he returned to the ring in 1991. Under the guidance of legendary trainer Freddie Roach, Rourke boxed for three years and had eight fights (6-0-2, 4KOs). But because of injuries he had to leave professional boxing.

"The first thing I want to say, Ruslan did not lose those three fights [with Herrera, Bradley and Algieri]. When I saw the fight between Ruslan and Tim Bradley, and saw how he fought, giving everything of himself without reserve, then I came home and said to myself: 'I want to fight again.' Provodnikov was my inspiration. Thanks to him I want to fight again," Rourke said.

"When I fought 18 years ago and my trainer was Freddie Roach, I did not train hard. I was smoking, walking and not running. And now I decided that this time back I would train like a f***ing animal. My last fight ended in a draw, but I'd rather have lost than got the draw. Ruslan became my inspiration to get back in training and be in the best shape possible. Regardless of the outcome, if I give a hundred percent I can be proud of what I've done."

When asked about his purse, Rourke replied - "It's not about the money."

Gregory Stangrit covers boxing for Allboxing.ru.