Jake Gyllenhaal doesn't think acting is difficult.

The 34-year-old star, who appears in new boxing movie 'Southpaw', alongside Rachel McAdams and Forest Whitaker, has claimed his chosen profession is ''absurd''.

He said: ''I would never call acting difficult: it's just not comparable to difficult things in the world. There's a history to cinema and to film that is to be respected. But it's all within the realm of sanity. It's always a challenge, but sometimes it can become absurd!''

However, Jake revealed he's serious about his preparation for his roles, and recently underwent an intensive fitness plan to be in shape for 'Southpaw'.

He told Time Out magazine: ''I'm not sharp enough to just show up and deliver. It takes a lot of preparation. I'll take anything I can get in order to fill out a character, along with classical technique.''

But despite being in fighting shape, Jake doesn't think he's suited to life in the ring.

Asked if there's anyone he'd like to fight, the Hollywood star said: ''Oh, man, are you kidding? I don't want to fight anybody! There are fights that I'd like to go back and see, and people that I'd like to see fight each other, but no: I don't think there's anybody that I'd really want to fight.''