Knockout or not, Mitt Romney reportedly wants to go a few rounds with Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid after the former Republican presidential nominee climbs out of the ring in a
charity bout with former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield.
In an interview with
The New York Times Magazine's Mark Leibovich on the eve of his Friday night fight with "The Deal," Romney was reminded that Reid
— a former boxer himself
— once did a little trash talking, accusing Romney in 2012 of not paying income taxes.
Asked if he'd seek out some fight tips from the former Senate majority leader, Romney jabbed: "I did not ask Harry for advice, but if I’m successful in the bout with Evander, then my next bout is going to be with Harry," the magazine reports.
An aide to Reid, who has been recovering from eye surgery after an exercise injury, ducked.
"To quote 'Frozen,' 'Let it go'," the aide responded,
Politico reports.
Holyfield and Romney’s fight will benefit CharityVision, a nonprofit that supports sight-restoration surgery in developing nations.
According to Leibovich, Romney is just hoping to survive the three-round bout without getting pummeled.
"I will get in Evander's face with compliments and good humor," Romney told the magazine, adding: "I'm staying far away from his ears. I don't for a moment want him to confuse me with anyone from his past." The reference was to the Holyfield fight in which Mike Tyson took a chunk of Holyfield's ear.
Romney also updated the magazine that he'd don the traditional boxing trunks for the match.
"I was affectionately known as 'Bird Legs' during high school," Romney told the magazine. "I'm afraid the bird legs will be unveiled one more time . . . My son has procured a red silk robe, complete with hood, and I'll have red silk shorts."
Romney told Leibovich he'll probably walk into the ring to the tune of "I Will Survive."
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