Professional Boxer, Actor. He was the former WBO Heavyweight Champion (1993) and the former IBC Heavyweight Champion (1995). He may perhaps be best remembered for playing Tommy 'Machine' Gunn in the film "Rocky V" (1990). Born into a family of boxers (his older brother Tim Morrison fought in the Heavyweight Division), he was raised in Oklahoma and from his father's encouragement, he began his amateur career while in his teens and won the Kansas City Golden Gloves Title. After turning professional in 1988, he put together an impressive win streak of 28 consecutive matches for which earned him his first shot at a world championship. He fought Ray Mercer for the WBO Crown on October 10th, 1991 and lost by way of a 5th round technical knockout. On June 7th, 1993, Morrison fought George Foreman for the vacant WBO Heavyweight Title and earned a 12th-round unanimous decision over the former heavyweight champion. He subsequently defended his title with a 4th-round technical knockout over Tim Tomashek in August of 1993, however he relinquished the belt to Michael Bentt after suffering a 1st-round knockout defeat in October of that year. Morrison won his second career world title, when he defeated Jamacian boxer Donovan 'Razor' Ruddock for the International Boxing Council crown in June of 1995 and lost the title to champion Lennox Lewis four months later. In 1996, Morrison was diagnosed as HIV-positive although the results of the tests have varied over the ensuing years. His life outside the ring was further complicated when he served prison time for DUI, in addition to drug and weapons possession. He compiled a 48 win (42 knockout), 3 loss and 1 drawn record. It was also claimed that Morrison was a relative of actor John Wayne, however this has never been confirmed.
Professional Boxer, Actor. He was the former WBO Heavyweight Champion (1993) and the former IBC Heavyweight Champion (1995). He may perhaps be best remembered for playing Tommy 'Machine' Gunn in the film "Rocky V" (1990). Born into a family of boxers (his older brother Tim Morrison fought in the Heavyweight Division), he was raised in Oklahoma and from his father's encouragement, he began his amateur career while in his teens and won the Kansas City Golden Gloves Title. After turning professional in 1988, he put together an impressive win streak of 28 consecutive matches for which earned him his first shot at a world championship. He fought Ray Mercer for the WBO Crown on October 10th, 1991 and lost by way of a 5th round technical knockout. On June 7th, 1993, Morrison fought George Foreman for the vacant WBO Heavyweight Title and earned a 12th-round unanimous decision over the former heavyweight champion. He subsequently defended his title with a 4th-round technical knockout over Tim Tomashek in August of 1993, however he relinquished the belt to Michael Bentt after suffering a 1st-round knockout defeat in October of that year. Morrison won his second career world title, when he defeated Jamacian boxer Donovan 'Razor' Ruddock for the International Boxing Council crown in June of 1995 and lost the title to champion Lennox Lewis four months later. In 1996, Morrison was diagnosed as HIV-positive although the results of the tests have varied over the ensuing years. His life outside the ring was further complicated when he served prison time for DUI, in addition to drug and weapons possession. He compiled a 48 win (42 knockout), 3 loss and 1 drawn record. It was also claimed that Morrison was a relative of actor John Wayne, however this has never been confirmed.
Bio by: C.S.
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