A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : UNFUN COUPLES : OK, It's Sing-Along Time: 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'

A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : UNFUN COUPLES : OK, It’s Sing-Along Time: ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’

By Andy Marx \f

June 30, 1991 12 AM PT

The boxing world has had its share of historic and memorable fights: Tunney-Dempsey in 1926; their famous rematch the following year; Louis versus Schmeling in 1938; Clay-Liston in 1964 and maybe even the Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas fight of 1990. Now, a Texas promoter wants to add another match to that list, this time featuring--are you ready?--Mickey Rourke and TV tough guy Robert Conrad.

Paul Allen, president of Houston-based Americana Leasing Corp., recently took out an ad in Daily Variety, offering $50,000 for an Aug. 10 winner-take-all, 10-round bout in Houston between Rourke, 38, who was victorious in his first pro fight, and Conrad, 56, who in earlier days fought professionally. Allen came up with the idea after hearing that Conrad, who was ringside at Rourke’s raucous May 23 Ft. Lauderdale debut, was ready to meet him in the ring.

Conrad, known for his starring roles on TV’s “The Wild, Wild West” and “Black Sheep Squadron,” in addition to a series of commercials daring anyone to knock a battery off his shoulder, was not impressed with Rourke’s pugilistic talents. “I left after the third round,” said Conrad from his home in the Sierra. “I was disappointed to say the least. Throwing a guy out of the ring is not fighting. I know I can beat him.”

After the first Variety ad ran, Allen received a call from Conrad’s spokesman, who told him he “was about $50,000 short as far as his client was concerned.” A week later, Allen raised the ante, taking out another ad, this time offering $500,000.

Though Conrad is considering it, he’s still concerned about the length of the bout. “I’d do it for $500,000, but at my age, I can’t go 10 rounds,” he admits. “Rourke could just run from me the whole time. You can’t hurt what you can’t hit.”

And what about Rourke? Allen has not heard from him, and his spokesman declined comment, saying, “We don’t discuss anything having to do with Mickey’s boxing career.”

Allen is considering running one more ad, this time offering $1 million for five rounds. “We’re committed to making this happen,” he says. “We’ve got the ring. We’ve got the place and we’re set.”

Now all he needs are the fighters.