Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison has died at the age of 44

 

Tommy Morrison: Career cut short by positive test for HIV 

 

Former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison has died at the age of 44.

The American reportedly passed away on Sunday night following a long battle against illness.
Morrison's career was brought to a shuddering halt in 1996 when he tested positive for HIV prior to a fight.


The 27-year-old later held a press conference admitting he had the virus and that his career was effectively over, but in recent years he denied that he was HIV-positive, fighting as recently as 2008.
However, his health reportedly declined with his wife claiming he was suffering from Miller Fisher Syndrome, a respiratory illness.

Morrison was a fearsome knockout artist, with 42 of his 48 wins coming via KO, but like many heavyweights was undermined by a weak chin.
The heavy-handed Ray Mercer burst his bubble with a vicious knockout in 1991 but 'the Duke' rebuilt and won the WBO title by defeating George Foreman via lop-sided decision less than two years later.
The reign did not last long though and in his second defence he was stopped for a second time in his career, by rookie Michael Bentt in the very first round.
Again he fought back, earning a do-or-die clash with Lennox Lewis, who at the time was also rebuilding his career after losing to Oliver McCall.
But Lewis battered his opponent in six one-sided rounds and just three months later Morrison tested positive.
During his peak Morrison also took on acting roles and featured in Rocky V as 'Tommy Gunn'.

jingo says September 2, 2013 5:08pm

All hail the duke and his fearsome right hook. One of the most exciting fighters for his time. Neither invulnerable or undefeated, but never put on a poor display. Survived against George Foreman despite rumors of having a wounder-able chin, which tells you all you need to know about his heart. There is a warning in his life story, as he said he contacted HIV for living reckless of his success, yet, that is by no means what defines his life, as he displayed a ferocious will to come back only rivaled by his left hook. If there ever was a real-life version of Rocky Balboa, this would be it. Extremely sad to see one of my childhood heroes leave so young, but he will be remembered. Rest in peace Duke.