The year 1991 played to host to one of those most incredible fights as Tommy Morrison and Ray Mercer went to war in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Morrison and Mercer both came into the contest, dubbed the ‘Test of Courage’, with the WBO heavyweight title on the line.
Both fighters were unbeaten with Mercer winning all 17 of his professional fights (12 by KO) and his 22-year-old opponent heading into the bout with a record of 28-0 (20 wins by KO).
Despite dominating the early rounds, Morrison was unable to capitalize and turn that into a victory as Mercer fought back to deliver the most brutal of endings.
Ray Mercer recovers to deliver 15-punch combo in fifth round KO against Tommy Morrison
Mercer was unable to let his hands loose in the opening stages of the contest as Morrison took control of the ring to land several combinations and even landed a shot to the 30-year-old’s lower lip that opened up a cut.
Round four saw the flick of a switch as Mercer fought back strongly and set himself up for round five, where he truly unleashed himself.
Several hard-hitting right-hand shots caught Morrison and the fight was done and dusted 28 seconds into the fifth as Mercer gave his younger counterpart no chance of recover.
After backing him into the corner, Mercer unleashed a brutal 15-punch combination that had Morrison clinging onto the ropes for dear life.
The referee allowed the bout to continue as Morrison swallowed up a further nine shots before buckling and falling into the ropes and onto the canvas to bring an end to a brutal contest.
Referee criticized for allowing Mercer vs Morrison to continue
The knockout win for Mercer left a sour taste in the mouth of many, especially with the way it ended.
It was clear from the first few punches thrown in the final combination that Morrison would be on his way down, wouldn’t be recovering and the fight couldn’t continue.
However, referee Tony Perez did anything but call it off and did nothing more than tap Mercer on the shoulder until Morrison physically couldn’t get back.
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Morrison was hurt so badly he thought the fight was still going on, even after it was waved off. Despite many thinking that would be the end for him, the Rocky V co-star recovered and even won the belt he failed to take off Mercer.
As for his opponent, he continued to fight and suffered respectful defeats to Larry Holmes, Evander Hoyfield and Lennox Lewis.
Despite receiving widespread criticism, Perez continued to officiate boxing matches until 2005.