Tommy Morrison


Tommy David Morrison was an American professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 1996, and held the WBO heavyweight title in 1993. He retired from boxing in 1996 when he tested positive for HIV. Morrison is also known for his acting career, having starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V as Tommy Gunn.
Morrison had previously attempted a comeback to boxing in 2007 when the Nevada commission lifted the indefinite worldwide suspension in July 2006. In August 2013, Morrison's mother announced that her son was in the final stages of AIDS, and he died on September 1, 2013 at the age of 44 from septicemia, septic shock, multi-system organ failure and, ultimately, cardiac arrest. According to his widow, he tested negative for HIV during his autopsy.

Early life and amateur career

Morrison was born in Gravette, Arkansas. His mother, Diana, was Native American while his father Tim was of mostly Scottish ancestry. Morrison was raised in Delaware County, Oklahoma, spending most of his teenage years in Jay. Morrison's nickname, "The Duke", is based on the claim that he was an alleged grand-nephew, or otherwise distant relative of the Hollywood star John Wayne. and his father urged Tommy to take up the sport at the age of ten. At the age of 13, Morrison's mother used a fake ID and entered her son into fifteen "toughman" contests. He later told The New York Times that he lost only one of these matches.
After graduating from high school in 1988, Morrison received a football scholarship to Emporia State University, being invited to play for the university team. In the same year, age 19, Morrison won the Regional Heavyweight Title – Kansas City Golden Gloves from Donald Ellis and advanced to the National Golden Gloves in Omaha, Nebraska, where he decisioned Javier Alvarez in the preliminaries, decisioned Warren Williams in the quarterfinals, but lost a split decision to Derek Isaman in the semifinals. Two weeks later, Morrison took part in the Western Olympic trials in Houston, Texas, defeating Robert Hargrove by a 4–1 majority decision in the semifinals, and John Bray by a 5–0 unanimous decision in the finals, and qualifying for the nationals, and garnering the "Outstanding Fighter" award of the tournament. Two weeks after that, fighting out of Republic, Missouri, at the National Olympic Trials in Concord, California, July 6, 1988, Morrison lost a 0–5 unanimous decision to Ray Mercer, who went on to win the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics.
As an amateur, Morrison claimed 222 fights with the 1988 Olympic Trials being the top of his amateur career. His amateur record is 202 wins, 20 losses.

Professional career

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 1989, actor Sylvester Stallone observed one of Morrison's bouts. Stallone arranged a script reading and cast Morrison in the movie Rocky V as Tommy "The Machine" Gunn, a young and talented protege of the retired Rocky Balboa. Morrison took a six-month break from boxing to work on the movie in 1990.
In 1991, Morrison won fights against opponents James 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.
He had six wins in 1992, including fights with Art Tucker and Joe Hipp, who later became 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.
Morrison chose to avoid brawling with Foreman and spent the fight boxing from long range. He 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.

Personal life

At one point in 1996, Morrison was married to two women at the same time: Dawn Freeman and Dawn Gilbert. Morrison had one child by age 19. Tommy and Trisha Morrison were engaged in 2009 and married in 2011.

Health

In 1996, Morrison was scheduled to fight against Arthur Weathers. The Nevada Athletic Commission determined that Morrison had tested positive for HIV and immediately and indefinitely worldwide suspended him from boxing on February 10, 1996.
In 2006, the Nevada commission lifted the suspension.
Morrison tested negative for HIV four times in January 2007. That year, he began fighting again. After passing medical tests in Texas, West Virginia licensed Morrison to fight in that state. In February 2007 he fought and beat John Castle. In June, Morrison's former agent, Randy Lang, alleged that Morrison had tested positive in January and that the boxer had tampered with blood samples. Morrison responded that he had fired Lang when he discovered that Lang was not a lawyer.
On July 22, 2007, the New York Times reported that Morrison took two HIV tests in 2007 and a third specifically for the Times. Ringside doctors, including Nevada's chief ringside physician, implied that the negative results were not in fact based on Morrison's blood.
In 2009, Morrison also tested HIV negative in Wyoming, in a supervised test by the Colorado commission.
In January 2011, the RACJ, the boxing commission for the province of Quebec, required that Morrison take a supervised HIV test in advance of a scheduled 2011 fight. Morrison invited the Quebec commission to attend a public test, but the commission did not come. Morrison stated that if Quebec refused to license him, he would "take the dog and pony show somewhere else."

Legal issues

In December 1993, Morrison was charged with assault and public intoxication when he allegedly punched a University of Iowa student. Morrison said that the student had been staring at him. Morrison pleaded guilty and paid a $310 fine, but said he was innocent. In October 1996, Morrison pleaded guilty to transporting a loaded firearm in Jay, Oklahoma; he received a 6-month suspended sentence and a $100 fine. In 1997, an Oklahoma jury convicted him of DUI in an accident that left three people injured; the court ordered Morrison to spend time in treatment.
In September 1999, an Oklahoma court gave a two-year suspended sentence for a DUI elevated to felony level by his previous DUI conviction. On September 16, 1999, the police stopped Morrison for driving erratically and found drugs and weapons in his car, which resulted in various drugs and firearms charges. While awaiting trial on the September 16 charges, Morrison was again arrested on charges of intoxication and possessing a weapon while a felon in November 1999. On January 14, 2000, Morrison was sentenced to two years in prison on the September 16 charges. On April 3, 2002, he was sentenced to another year in prison after violating parole in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but was given credit for time previously served.

Death

In August 2013, Elizabeth Merrill of ESPN.com reported that Morrison's mother Diana said that Tommy had "full-blown AIDS" and was "in his final days." She also stated that Morrison had been bedridden for over a year. The same article also stated that Morrison's wife, Trisha, did not believe Morrison had AIDS.
On September 2, 2013, Morrison died at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 44. According to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, Morrison's cause of death was cardiac arrest, resulting from multiorgan failure due to septic shock caused by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
52Win48–3–1 Matt WeishaarTKO3, 1:40Feb 9, 2008 Domo de la Feria, León, Mexico
51Win47–3–1 John CastleTKO2, 1:49Feb 22, 2007 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
50Win46–3–1 Marcus RhodeTKO1, 1:38Nov 3, 1996 Tokyo Bay NK Hall, Urayasu, Japan
49Loss45–3–1 Lennox LewisTKO6, 1:22Oct 7, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost IBC heavyweight title
48Win45–2–1 Donovan RuddockTKO6, 2:55Jun 10, 1995 Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.Won vacant IBC heavyweight title
47Win44–2–1 Terry AndersonKO7, 1:34May 1, 1995 Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
46Win43–2–1 Marselles BrownKO3, 2:18Mar 5, 1995 Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.
45Win42–2–1 Ken MerrittTKO1, 2:41Feb 7, 1995 State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
44Draw41–2–1 Ross Puritty10Jul 28, 1994 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43Win41–2 Sherman GriffinUD10May 24, 1994 Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
42Win40–2 Brian ScottTKO2, 1:37Mar 27, 1994 Expo Square Pavilion, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
41Win39–2 Tui ToiaKO3, 2:13Feb 20, 1994 Belle Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
40Loss38–2 Michael BenttTKO1, 1:33Oct 29, 1993 Convention Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.Lost WBO heavyweight title
39Win38–1 Tim TomashekRTD4, 3:00Aug 30, 1993 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.Retained WBO heavyweight title
38Win37–1 George ForemanUD12Jun 7, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBO heavyweight title
37Win36–1 Dan MurphyTKO3, 1:10Mar 30, 1993 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
36Win35–1 Carl WilliamsTKO8, 2:10Jan 16, 1993 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
35Win34–1 Marshall TillmanTKO1, 2:23Dec 12, 1992 America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
34Win33–1 Joe HippTKO9, 2:47Jun 27, 1992 Bally's, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
33Win32–1 Art TuckerTKO2, 1:12May 14, 1992 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win31–1 Kimmuel OdumTKO3, 1:50Apr 23, 1992 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
31Win30–1 Jerry HalsteadTKO5, 0:30Mar 20, 1992 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30Win29–1 Bobby QuarryTKO2, 1:29Feb 16, 1992 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
29Loss28–1 Ray MercerKO5, 0:28Oct 18, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBO heavyweight title
28Win28–0 Ladislao MijangosTKO1, 1:40Jun 27, 1991 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Win27–0 Yuri VaulinTKO5, 2:06Apr 19, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26Win26–0 Pinklon Thomas1, 3:00Feb 19, 1991 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
25Win25–0 James TillisTKO1, 1:51Jan 11, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win24–0 Mike AceyTKO1, 1:35Nov 8, 1990 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
23Win23–0 John MortonTKO5, 1:49Oct 4, 1990 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win22–0 Charles WoolardKO2Jun 9, 1990 Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
21Win21–0 Ken LakustaUD6Dec 7, 1989 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
20Win20–0 Lorenzo CanadyUD6Nov 3, 1989 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win19–0 Charles HostetterKO1Oct 26, 1989 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.Sylvester Stallone accompanied Morrison to the ring with a camera crew as part of the Rocky V movie production.
18Win18–0 Harry TerrellKO1, 2:59Oct 17, 1989 State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
17Win17–0 David JacoKO1, 0:37Sep 19, 1989 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
16Win16–0 Rick EnisTKO1, 2:45Sep 5, 1989 Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
15Win15–0 Jesse ShelbyTKO2, 1:55Aug 22, 1989 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win14–0 Mike RobinsonTKO2 Aug 8, 1989 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win13–0 Aaron BrownUD6Jul 3, 1989 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0 Steve Zouski4Jun 25, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0 Ricky NelsonTKO2 Jun 11, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0 Mike McGradyTKO1, 1:19May 14, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0 Lorenzo BoydTKO2Apr 22, 1989 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
8Win8–0 Alan JamisonKO1Mar 29, 1989 Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
7Win7–0 Lee MooreKO2Feb 24, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0 Traore AliTKO4, 0:53Feb 9, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
5Win5–0 Mike FoleyKO1Jan 24, 1989 Four Seasons Arena, Great Falls, Montana, U.S.
4Win4–0 Elvin EvansKO1Jan 17, 1989 Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.
3Win3–0 Joe AdamsKO1Jan 12, 1989 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
2Win2–0 Tony Dewar1, 0:41Nov 30, 1988 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
1Win1–0 William Muhammad1 Nov 10, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.

Filmography