Documentary on
Heavyweight champion boxer
Tommy Morrison, his life and career.
Tommy Morrison (born January 2,
1969) is an
American heavyweight boxer and a former
World Boxing Organization champion. He lost only three out of a total of 52 professional fights. Morrison's nickname, "
The Duke," is based on disputed claims that he is a grandnephew of
Hollywood star John Wayne. Morrison was a co-star with
Sylvester Stallone in the
1990 boxing movie
Rocky V.
Morrison's professional boxing career ended for many years when he tested positive for
HIV in
1996.
Beginning in
2006, Morrison attempted a comeback, stating his
HIV diagnosis was negative.
Morrison started his professional boxing career on
November 10,
1988, with a first-round knockout of
William Muhammad in
New York City. Three weeks later, he scored another first-round knockout. In
1989, Morrison had 19 wins and no losses, 15 by knockout.
In
1991, Morrison, already the recipient of much television exposure, won fights against opponents
James Quick Tillis and former world champion
Pinklon Thomas. He was given an opportunity to face fellow undefeated fighter
Ray Mercer, the
WBO title holder in a
Pay Per View card held on
October 18, 1991. Morrison suffered the first loss of his career, losing by 5th round knockout. Morrison had six wins in
1992, including fights with
Art Tucker and
Joe Hipp, who would later become the first
Native American to challenge for the world heavyweight title
. In the Hipp fight, held June 19, 1992, Morrison was suffering from what was later discovered to be a broken hand and broken jaw, but rallied to score a knockout in the ninth round. After two wins in
1993, including one over two-time world title challenger
Carl "The Truth" Williams, Morrison found himself fighting for the WBO title again, against heavyweight boxing legend
George Foreman, who was himself making a comeback. As both men were famed for their punching power, an exciting battle was expected, but Morrison chose to avoid brawling with Foreman and spent the fight boxing from long range. Morrison was able to hit and move effectively in this manner, and after a closely contested bout he won a unanimous 12-round decision and the WBO title.
Morrison's first title defense was scheduled against
Mike Williams, but when
Williams withdrew on the night of the fight, Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement. Although Tomashek had been prepared to fight as a backup plan, some news reports created the impression that he had just been pulled out of the crowd. The WBO later rescinded their sanctioning of this fight due to Tomashek's lack of experience.
Almost immediately, talks of a fight with
WBC champion
Lennox Lewis began, but were halted when virtually unknown
Michael Bentt upset Morrison in his next bout. Bentt knocked Morrison down three times, and the fight was stopped in the first round in front of a live
HBO Boxing audience. Morrison recovered by winning three bouts in a row in
1994, but his last fight of the year, against
Ross Puritty, ended with a draw.
Morrison won three fights in
1995 before meeting former #1 contender
Razor Ruddock. Ruddock dropped Morrison to his knees in the first round, but Morrison recovered to force a standing count in round two and compete on even terms for five rounds. In the sixth round, Ruddock hurt Morrison with a quick combination, but just as it seemed Morrison was in trouble, he countered with a tremendous hook that put Ruddock on the canvas. Ruddock regained his feet, but Morrison drove him to the ropes and showered him with an extended flurry of blows. Just as the bell was about to sound, the referee stepped in and declared Morrison the winner by
TKO.
The much-anticipated fight with
Lewis, who had also lost his world championship, finally took place following the Ruddock match. Morrison was knocked out in the sixth round.
- published: 13 Feb 2014
- views: 102581