Tommy Morrison
| Tommy Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Tommy David Morrison |
| Nickname(s) | The Duke |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm) |
| Born |
January 2, 1969 Gravette, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2013 (aged 44) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 52 |
| Wins | 48 |
| Wins by KO | 43 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
Tommy David Morrison (January 2, 1969 – September 1, 2013) 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, but returned for two more fights in 2007 and 2008. Morrison is best known for starring alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V.
Morrison previously attempted a comeback to boxing in 2006, claiming he had tested negative for HIV. In August 2013, Morrison's mother announced that her son was in the final stages of AIDS, and he died on September 1, 2013.
Morrison was born in Gravette, Arkansas. His mother, Diana, was of Native American descent, while his father's side was of majority Scottish descent. 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 related to Hollywood star John Wayne (né Marion Morrison). Morrison's older brother Tim Jr boxed and his father urged him to take up the sport at the age of ten. At the age of 13, Morrison claimed he used a fake ID and entered fifteen "toughman" contests (the minimum age for contestants was 21). He later told The New York Times that he lost only one of these supposed matches.
Morrison's mother was acquitted of a murder charge four decades ago. His father, Tim Sr, was abusive; he would get drunk and beat Morrison as well as his mother. Tim was also a perpetual philanderer until Diana finally left him. Morrison's brother, Tim Jr., spent 15 years in prison for rape.
In 1988, 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 lost a split decision to Derek Isaman. Two weeks later, Morrison took part in the Western Olympic trials in Houston, Texas winning the Heavyweight Title and garnering the "Most Outstanding Fighter" of the tournament. Two weeks after that at the Olympic Trials in Concord, California, Morrison lost a split decision to Ray Mercer, who would go on to win the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics. His combined professional and amateur record is 343–24–1, with 315 wins by knockout.
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