By Robert Coster
On this day 52 years ago, Tommy Morrison was born. One of the most exciting heavyweights of the 1990s.
His amateur record: 202-20
His pro record: 48-3-1, 42 KOs
The high points of his pro career: Morrison won his first 28 bouts, 25 by knockout. Tommy outpointed ring legend George Foreman (06-07-1993) to become the WBO heavyweight champion. Other great victories were wins over Donovan Ruddock, Pinklon Thomas, Carl Williams, James Tillis, and Joe Hipp.
The low points of his career: Knockout losses to Ray Mercer (10-18-1991), Michael Bentt( (10-29-1993), Lennox Lewis (10-07-1995).
Retired in 1996.
Made a short comeback in 2007-2008 (2 bouts)
Death: 09-01-2013, age 44
Tommy Morrison will also be remembered for his foray into the movie world, playing the part of Tommy Gunn in Rocky V, alongside Sylvester Stallone.
He was entertaining. I luved it when he wud come back with new trunks & look after a KO loss.
I still recall watching Morrison being dismantled by Michael Bentt in his first title defense. Morrison was way too confident against Bentt and Bentt too advantage of the opportunity. Morrison missed his big payday against Lennox Lewis because of that immediate loss. I think this was 1993.
I’d say more lucky punch than dismantling.
lucky punch from a guy in the gyms with the likes of Bowe, Briggs etc..
I think he was lined up to fight Mike Tyson. The fight took place, rather oddly, at Millwall Soccer Clubs ground. A mere 15 minutes walk from where I lived at the time.
Neat information to share you lived within 15 minutes from where the fight took place.
Morrison had his moments as a fighter. Make no mistake, he was a dangerous counter puncher. Morrison’s pitfall was his suspect chin. I recall when Ray Mercer KO’d Morrison and that was a brutal ending in the fight. I did enjoy watching Tommy fight when he was on his “A” game in the ring.
I recall a while back his son was currently fighting as a heavyweight, but he seems to have dropped off the radar at this point unless I am missing something.
I have to disagree, his chin was pretty good and Mercer needed a lots of heavy blows to lay him down. And don’t forget Mercer, Lewis and Bent were heavy hitters ! Good chin but “make no prisonners” type of fighter who was hit a lot because of his agressiveness.. He was the definition of what entertainment is in the ring, loved him.. He never will be forgotten..
Good points. Never thought of it that way.
Yes, Tommy had a pretty good chin. He just didn’t have a “phenomenal” chin like Ray Mercer or Oliver McCall had. His partying and lack of training between fights was his weaknesses.
Ian the Bentt fight took place in Tulsa at the civic centre the Millwall fc fight was Bentt v Hide in Bents first and only defence and last fight due to injuries sustained in that fight which was also remembered for a crazy brawl at a press conference
Bentt got a lil brain damage from Hibe. Bentt went on to do acting. I enjoyed him as a fighter. Spoke with him before. He talks in riddles and poems.
Ian the Bentt fight was in Tulsa the time he fought at Millwall was his first and only defence the following March against Herbie Hide which was his last fight due to injuries sustained in that fight a fight that was notorious due to the punch up they had at one of the press conferences
Munguia will be a punching bag for GGG…There is a guy named Charlo who called GGG out a couple o0f years ago.
sir wrong conversation lol
Hahah Charlo brothers are total garbage!!!
I remember when Ray Mercer destroyed Tommy.He did great in a well stacked era of great boxers. Would have been nice to see him fight Tyson, Holyfield or Ike Ibabucci.
Yes, would have been very interesting to see Morrison fight Holyfield or Ike.
Ike Ibeabuchi was a BEAST, but allowed inner demons to remove him from the fight scene. I have no doubt that Ike would have become heavyweight champion if he stayed out of trouble.
Tommy “the Duke” Morrison fought in the greatest ERA of Boxing cudos to what he accomplished
Happy birthday to Tommy Morrison and Pernell Whitaker as well.
Very sad that these gentlemen passed away so young in life.
They’re dead.
It’s also Josh Taylor’s birthday. He’s alive and well.
Morrison was a good fighter. Largely a product of hype, but still good. He legitimately beat George Foreman by fighting a smart fight.
i remember morrison the fight he had with ray mercer. that was a devasted knockout.
R.I.P. TOMMY, YOU HAD SOME LEFT HOOK.
Thank you for remembering my husband Tommy.
Tommy’s postmortem report found that he was not afflicted with HIV and he did not die of AIDS. Please correct your article.
The Nevada Commission also has confessed in 2020 they did not diagnose Tommy with HIV and did not indefinitely worldwide medically suspend Tommy. Infact they SECRETLY LIFTED the medical suspension in 2006.
Court records confirm all of the above.
Thank you for coming on board to join us. The FOIA allows nearly all court documents to be unsealed to the public at some point in time. Any chance these records are available to the public for viewing and fall under the FOIA law(s)?
I agree, the Nevada Commission would not have the power to medically diagnose anybody with any [medical] condition. The Commission’s function would be directed as a consultation with a board certified entity that would be able to support, establish, or make reference to any diagnosis or medical condition.
Wow thank you for joining us because we loved your husband, he was a hell of a fighter with an agressive style, a big heart, one of the best left hook ever in boxing and one of the most entertaining fighter ever. We will never forget him, i wish you a happy new year and an healthy one. Greatings from France..
Very honored to read your comments here. Thanks for taking the time to include them.
Tommy Morrison was a magnificent fighter and great puncher. He worked at his craft, appeared to always come prepared to give all he had, and rebounded from some losses. It took beasts to beat him, and I always found him exciting to watch. It’s tragic and unfortunate that he contracted and succumbed to such a deadly disease. He was taken away from us too soon.
So great to see him remembered here on his birthday.
Thanks Trisha THANK YOU for your diligence of shinning the light on this travesti
Had one of the best left hooks in the heavy weight division.
Morrison made for very exciting fights.
No disrespect to Trisha Morrison, but Tommy was in fact HIV positive. There is no shame in that. It’s a terrible virus, that anyone can become afflicted with, if exposed under certain circumstances. He did not however, die of AIDS, as that is not technically the cause of death. He fell victim to opportunistic infection. Unfortunately the stigma with HIV is very much alive. May he rest in peace. He was a great boxing champion.
The advancement in HIV drug therapies have allowed many victims of the disease to live for decades with a low viral load. I would like to thank the researchers and pharmaceutical companies for their work in making this possible.
Brandon no need of shame. It was proven scientifically and legally in a court of law no HIV/AIDS sir.
As Joe Friday always said “Just the facts”
His fight with Donovan Ruddock was great.
Arguably the greatest left hook of all time
Exciting fighter.i was a big fan of his. Holds great wins against well known fighters. Great wins over Ruddock n Foreman. I wanted him to win both those fights but I would have bet against him in both. Glad he proved me wrong both times. All action fighter with a huge left hook.I think it was 1995 about the AIDS rumor.They wouldn’t let him fight on a card because of the test. I was a fan of his n was praying he didn’t have it. How can ya not like him. When he fought something exciting was going to happen. Would have liked to see him against Holyfield. Remember styles make fights Holyfield was not hard to hit n Morrison was a huge puncher. I think Morrison had a good chance of winning that fight.
Morrison vs Tyson was a dream match.
Toast to tommy Finn Morrison. Winning the world title in the movies to winning it 2 x here hats off to m ya no
Munguia No. 1 in WBO and WBC but can’t get Andrade or Charlo in the ring. GGG will take on him and anyone else. Shame Canelo moved up avoiding a third GGG match.
Gone too soon…exciting heavyweight with crazy power and great combinations. I would have loved to have seen Tyson and him go head-to-head.