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Rourke, 62, will take on a man less than half his age in 29-year-old American Elliot Seymour, in a five-round match in Moscow. The star of 9½ Weeks has lost more than two and half stone for
the fight. Rourke, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Wrestler in 2008, said: "Boxing is a serious part of my life. It taught me respect and determination. I always
dreamed of fighting a match in Russia." After years of boxing and drinking ravaged his looks, he underwent plastic surgery which he has openly admitted didn't work very well.
Tomorrow night's fight will take place before a top bout between Russia's Provodnikov and Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico. Apart from starring in dozens of films, Rourke has been
training in the ring since the early 1990s, and this will be his ninth professional fight. Rourke, who started boxing aged 12 but gave up the sport to act, has won six of his previous eight
bouts. His opponent has won just one out of 10.
