Tommy 'The Duke' Morrison

[HomicideHenry]

Tommy Morrison was one of my favorite fighters from the 1990's. He was in alot of people's eyes a white version of Mike Tyson. Like the early Tyson, Morrison was always active, fighting as many as four or more times a year with most of his victories being by kayo. Little did it matter that most of the men he fought was 4th rate, it was the charisma and the sheer tenacity that this man had, like Tyson, that glued us to the screen.

Being the grandnephew of John Wayne (Marion Michael Morrison) Tommy began his fighting career relatively young, winning Toughman contests when he was 16 years old. He turned professional in 1988 and would have 28 wins by the time he fought Ray Mercer, 24 by kayo.

Those 28 men were familiar names, guys that Mike Tyson wasted back in 1985-1986, Lorenzo Boyd, Ricky Nelson, Steve Zouski, David Jaco, and James Tillis and Pinklon Thomas.

Back to the Mercer fight. What many fail to consider is that for the 5 rounds the fight lasted, Morrison was ahead on all cards over the more 'legit' and credible Ray mercer. The kayo, however, outshines that small tid bit of information, as it was one of the most ghastly and brutal kayos in history.

I think what is particuarly sad in boxing is that Morrison was written off and is still written off as a fighter with a glass jaw and with no heart, that he was simply another 'great white hope' that was a creation of the media.

While the media part might be true, considering Morrison starred in Rocky V and was getting huge exposure for being a fighter just building up skill and experience, it's not true that Morrison was some bum either.

Take for instance Morrison's fight with Joe Hipp (the only Native American to be a top 10 contender and minor title holder at HW). Morrison suffered a broken jaw and a broken hand during this fight, but continued to throw bombs against Hipp and WON by TKO in the 9th.

If that doesn't prove heart, doesn't prove toughness, then I don't know what is, if it worked for 'Quit-Schko' then it should work for Morrison, you simply can't have it both ways.

Then throw in Morrison's win (a kayo win) over a still dangerous and still legit, Carl Williams. Morrison was down twice, but still came after Williams and not only dropped him twice as well, but the fight had to be stopped because Williams took such a battering. Then throw in the Foreman fight, which won Morrison the WBO title---though I must say I am still suspect of this particular fight because Foreman boxed rather then punched after he had Morrison hurt early.

People also dismiss Morrison because of the Bentt fight. For anyone to dismiss someone because of an off-night is ridculous. Almost all fighters, at one time or another, have lost to much weaker and mediocre opponents. Take Archie Moore for instance; he was certainly the best LHW around and yet he lost to a few people who would make your eyebrows raise up.

It's no secret that if someone fought someone alot of times someone is bound to lose at least once or twice---Ali lost to Frazier once out of three, Walcott lost many times to Charles, etc. In short, Bentt had a lucky night. But that doesn't mean I'll be easy on Morrison---he let the fame, the money and all other bullshit that comes with it all get in the way of his focus.

After the Bentt fight, Morrison racked up eight victories, all but two were by kayo. One of those kayos put him into title contention for the IBC title, a smashing kayo victory over Razor Ruddock---one of the most dangerous fighters of the early-mid 90's.

The Lewis fight, unfortunately for Morrison, was, as Emmanuel Stewart once said, was one of Lewis' best nights. In the first 38 seconds he was cut, and having to contend with Lewis' long jab he was losing confidence quick. Then his eyes swelled up and he was losing vision and it was simply too late to change his game plan to switch into being a 'warrior'.

He lost by TKO in the 6th round. Many fail to give Morrison credit, thinking he was just another fall guy for Lewis; this simply was not the case. Many 'experts' were saying if anyone had a chance at pushing Lewis off it would be Morrison and not anyone else.

Then came the unexpected end. Morrison tested positive for HIV after the Lewis bout, but would have one more fight against journeyman Marcus Rhode. All earnings for the fight went to a AIDS/HIV charity.

Morrison now claims that the first test was not right, as he has 'passed' the test on three occassions, that possibly the different supplements/steroids that he took as a boxer might have been the reason why the test was scrambled. As of now there is talk of Morrison to take an official HIV test to prove if he is or is not HIV positive, if he passes, he must then spar a few rounds and if satisfactory they will give him a license.

Whether he is or is not, Tommy Morrison, in my mind proved that in the short amount of time he fought, that he was certainly good enough to get near the top and had he not tested for HIV, he would have gotten better. He was showing improvements by the time he was done boxing.

[KOJOE90]

Code: Select all

People also dismiss Morrison because of the Bentt fight.

I'm sure I read an interview with Morrison a while back were he claimed he was drunk during the bentt fight.

[EriqS]

I'm going to be brutally honest. I never thought very much at all of Tommy Morrison. He was the beneficiary of a great deal of hype because A. He was white. B. He was related to John Wayne (supposedly -- and oh how they played that one up -- no announcer failed to mention this in any of his fights) and C. He played a role in what became the worst Rocky film of them all (except for maybe the latest one). He got a lot of publicity, much more than he deserved, and in the end, he was exposed as nothing more than a local tough guy with slim talent and a weak chin. A banger, who was susceptible to being banged. He was brutalized by Mercer, brutalized and neraly KO'd by Joe Hipp-- who, let's face it, was just not THAT good, took a shelacking from Michael (in manmy of my fights the upside of my head gets) Bentt, and his big claim to fame is decisioning an old, slow, and very geriatric George Foreman. He was lucky he didn't caught in that fight. Tommy Morrison belongs in the George Chuvalo, Ron Stander, Boone Kirkman class--and that's being generous.

[HomicideHenry]

How did he have a weak chin? He fought with a broken jaw against Joe Hipp. He was only knocked out by Mercer and TKO'd against Lewis and the Bentt fight was most certainly a fluke. If anything, he was moved too damn soon against Mercer, he was still green as a gord, so that can be excusable.

[KOJOE90]

Tommy Morrison belongs in the George Chuvalo, Ron Stander, Boone Kirkman class--and that's being generous.

I have to disagree with you on this point I think George Chuvalo is a level above Kirkman, Stander and Morrison.

[The Great John L]

Tommy Morrison belongs in the George Chuvalo, Ron Stander, Boone Kirkman class--and that's being generous.

I have to disagree with you on this point I think George Chuvalo is a level above Kirkman, Stander and Morrison.

Absolutely. I would say several levels above those guys.

[HomicideHenry]

^^^agree, Chuvalo was better than Kirkman

[zuru]

Tommy Morrison was one of my favorite fighters from the 1990's. He was in alot of people's eyes a white version of Mike Tyson. Like the early Tyson, Morrison was always active, fighting as many as four or more times a year with most of his victories being by kayo. Little did it matter that most of the men he fought was 4th rate, it was the charisma and the sheer tenacity that this man had, like Tyson, that glued us to the screen.

Being the grandnephew of John Wayne (Marion Michael Morrison) Tommy began his fighting career relatively young, winning Toughman contests when he was 16 years old. He turned professional in 1988 and would have 28 wins by the time he fought Ray Mercer, 24 by kayo.

Those 28 men were familiar names, guys that Mike Tyson wasted back in 1985-1986, Lorenzo Boyd, Ricky Nelson, Steve Zouski, David Jaco, and James Tillis and Pinklon Thomas.

Back to the Mercer fight. What many fail to consider is that for the 5 rounds the fight lasted, Morrison was ahead on all cards over the more 'legit' and credible Ray mercer. The kayo, however, outshines that small tid bit of information, as it was one of the most ghastly and brutal kayos in history.

I think what is particuarly sad in boxing is that Morrison was written off and is still written off as a fighter with a glass jaw and with no heart, that he was simply another 'great white hope' that was a creation of the media.

While the media part might be true, considering Morrison starred in Rocky V and was getting huge exposure for being a fighter just building up skill and experience, it's not true that Morrison was some bum either.

Take for instance Morrison's fight with Joe Hipp (the only Native American to be a top 10 contender and minor title holder at HW). Morrison suffered a broken jaw and a broken hand during this fight, but continued to throw bombs against Hipp and WON by TKO in the 9th.

If that doesn't prove heart, doesn't prove toughness, then I don't know what is, if it worked for 'Quit-Schko' then it should work for Morrison, you simply can't have it both ways.

Then throw in Morrison's win (a kayo win) over a still dangerous and still legit, Carl Williams. Morrison was down twice, but still came after Williams and not only dropped him twice as well, but the fight had to be stopped because Williams took such a battering. Then throw in the Foreman fight, which won Morrison the WBO title---though I must say I am still suspect of this particular fight because Foreman boxed rather then punched after he had Morrison hurt early.

People also dismiss Morrison because of the Bentt fight. For anyone to dismiss someone because of an off-night is ridculous. Almost all fighters, at one time or another, have lost to much weaker and mediocre opponents. Take Archie Moore for instance; he was certainly the best LHW around and yet he lost to a few people who would make your eyebrows raise up.

It's no secret that if someone fought someone alot of times someone is bound to lose at least once or twice---Ali lost to Frazier once out of three, Walcott lost many times to Charles, etc. In short, Bentt had a lucky night. But that doesn't mean I'll be easy on Morrison---he let the fame, the money and all other bullshit that comes with it all get in the way of his focus.

After the Bentt fight, Morrison racked up eight victories, all but two were by kayo. One of those kayos put him into title contention for the IBC title, a smashing kayo victory over Razor Ruddock---one of the most dangerous fighters of the early-mid 90's.

The Lewis fight, unfortunately for Morrison, was, as Emmanuel Stewart once said, was one of Lewis' best nights. In the first 38 seconds he was cut, and having to contend with Lewis' long jab he was losing confidence quick. Then his eyes swelled up and he was losing vision and it was simply too late to change his game plan to switch into being a 'warrior'.

He lost by TKO in the 6th round. Many fail to give Morrison credit, thinking he was just another fall guy for Lewis; this simply was not the case. Many 'experts' were saying if anyone had a chance at pushing Lewis off it would be Morrison and not anyone else.

Then came the unexpected end. Morrison tested positive for HIV after the Lewis bout, but would have one more fight against journeyman Marcus Rhode. All earnings for the fight went to a AIDS/HIV charity.

Morrison now claims that the first test was not right, as he has 'passed' the test on three occassions, that possibly the different supplements/steroids that he took as a boxer might have been the reason why the test was scrambled. As of now there is talk of Morrison to take an official HIV test to prove if he is or is not HIV positive, if he passes, he must then spar a few rounds and if satisfactory they will give him a license.

Whether he is or is not, Tommy Morrison, in my mind proved that in the short amount of time he fought, that he was certainly good enough to get near the top and had he not tested for HIV, he would have gotten better. He was showing improvements by the time he was done boxing.

I always like Morrison.I thought the Hipp fight was impressive,like you said,not only was Tommy's jaw broke,but Hipp was a big,strong guy,and Boom! Morrison takes him out.Morrison could have been a lot better,but,that's the way things are.Morrison had speed,& power.
zuru

[Brutu]

Bullsh*t,Tommy Morrison was an exciting fighter to watch,
even when he knocked out ham-bones and no-hopers
(but isnt that what Mike Tyson fought,pretty much until he got a shot at one of the titles?).

[HomicideHenry]

yeah thats what I find so amazing about Tyson, he was 'believable' and legit despite knocking over a bunch of stiffs and was called a monster and the next HW champion---but when anyone else did it, they were called bums and accused of taking shortcuts.

NOBODY was as doctored or as babied/spoon fed to the title as much as Tyson was.

[EriqS]

Tommy Morrison belongs in the George Chuvalo, Ron Stander, Boone Kirkman class--and that's being generous.

I have to disagree with you on this point I think George Chuvalo is a level above Kirkman, Stander and Morrison.

Perhaps you're right, now that I think of it. Chuvalo was definitely better than Morrison

[dempseyfire]

I'm going to be brutally honest. I never thought very much at all of Tommy Morrison. He was the beneficiary of a great deal of hype because A. He was white. B. He was related to John Wayne (supposedly -- and oh how they played that one up -- no announcer failed to mention this in any of his fights) and C. He played a role in what became the worst Rocky film of them all (except for maybe the latest one). He got a lot of publicity, much more than he deserved, and in the end, he was exposed as nothing more than a local tough guy with slim talent and a weak chin. A banger, who was susceptible to being banged. He was brutalized by Mercer, brutalized and neraly KO'd by Joe Hipp-- who, let's face it, was just not THAT good, took a shelacking from Michael (in manmy of my fights the upside of my head gets) Bentt, and his big claim to fame is decisioning an old, slow, and very geriatric George Foreman. He was lucky he didn't caught in that fight. Tommy Morrison belongs in the George Chuvalo, Ron Stander, Boone Kirkman class--and that's being generous.

I think Stander would have knocked out Morrison. The guy had life and death struggles with Joe Hipp and Terry Anderson, who were journeyman at best. He also was knocked down twice and got a gift vs Ross Purrity (Morrison and Wlad are the only top guys The Boss has ever beaten). Sure he was an exciting fighter. The Ruddock fight was an entertaining, if sloppy slugfest, and a good win. The Foreman fight was only an instance of the 45 yr old Foreman just having an awful night . . .he hardly threw any punches the entire fight, and Morrison still ran away the last few rounds (not in the Ali-Liston way, like the Oscar-Tito way).

Good Heavyweight but far from a championship calibre guy.

[HeavyHitters]

yeah thats what I find so amazing about Tyson, he was 'believable' and legit despite knocking over a bunch of stiffs and was called a monster and the next HW champion---but when anyone else did it, they were called bums and accused of taking shortcuts.

NOBODY was as doctored or as babied/spoon fed to the title as much as Tyson was.

Whatever, dude... Tyson then took out then champ Berbick in 2 rounds, and then went on to beat champs James BC Smith and Tony Tucker to collect all 3 titles. Not to mention destroying Tubbs, Spinks and Holmes also.

Maybe fed tomato cans early, but then soon after walked through almost every legit contender or champ at the time.

[HomicideHenry]

I never said that Tyson was spoon fed a bunch of stiffs after getting the shot at Berbick. I said there has been nobody who has been as spoon fed TO the title as much as Tyson was---outside of fighting James Tillis (who wasn't so quick anymore), Jesse Ferguson (who was scared out of his wits) and Alonso Ratliff who was the only guy who Tyson fought in that time who was anywhere near legit, in my opinion.

[jont]

I would have to say that the Carl Williams fight was a good display of toughness from Morrisson But the "Truth" was completely finished by this point and was expected to lose against Morrison and quickly---Williams was completely susceptible to the left hook which was Tommy's best weapon.