Mitt Romney takes to the ring with Evander Holyfield but politician ends up running away after just two rounds

Former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney and five-time heavyweight boxing champion,n Evander Holyfield, squared off in the ring at a charity fight night event in Salt Lake City.

Romney, 68, and Holyfield, 52, sparred, if you could call it that, for just two short rounds on Friday before Romney ran away from the boxer and threw in the towel, giving up a round early in the lighthearted fight that came amid several other fights by professional boxers and an auction.

The two barely threw any punches and largely just danced around, occasionally lightly jabbing each other in the midsection in what was much more of a comedic event than an actual bout.

Mitt Romney and Evander Holyfield pose after the former boxer defeated the politician in a charity fight

The former US presidential candidate manages to land a rare punch on the five-time heavyweight champion

Romney throws a right-hander, landing to the head of Holyfield, but he didn't do all that much damage

The black-tie affair RAISED MONEY for the Utah-based organization CharityVision, which helps doctors in developing countries perform surgeries to restore vision in people with curable blindness.

Romney's son Josh Romney, who lives in Utah, serves as a volunteer president for Charity Vision.

Corporate sponsorships for the event ranged from $25,000 to $250,000. Organizers say they raised at least $1 million (£636,000).

'He said, "You know what? You float like a bee and sting like a butterfly,"' Romney said after the fight.

Attendees just enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the chance to see Romney in the ring.

The two men mostly just danced around in the ring, but the black-tie crowd seemed to enjoy the 'fight'

Romney looked to be enjoying himself, even though he ended up throwing in the towel after just two rounds

'Oh, it was great. I was very proud of Mitt,' said Katie Anderson, who attended the event with her husband.

'I was happy it went to the second round,' Devin Anderson said.

Romney, the most-high profile Mormon in America, is hugely popular in the state, where more than 60 percent of the residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Holyfield celebrates winning the 'fight', at an event that raised over £600,000 for the charity CharityVision

Beyond his religious connections, the former Massachusetts governor is remembered by many for turning around Salt Lake City's 2002 Winter Olympics after a bribery scandal.