Tommy Morrison became a world champion for the first time in 1993, but he halted history with his victory.
Retiring with a professional record of 48-3-1, ‘The Duke’ had a fantastic career. Although Morrison originally hung up his gloves in 1996, he turned to the sport in 2007, earning two TKO wins in two years.
Morrison’s first title opportunity would come in 1991. Taking on WBO World Heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, Morrison would have his first professional loss, getting stopped in the fifth round.
The fight would see Morrison being pummelled by a series of punches by Mercer. However, despite Morrison’s 28-0 record being blemished, he would get another world title opportunity just two years later.
Tommy Morrison faced George Foreman for the vacant world heavyweight title
Morrison would bounce back from his failed title attempt with eight wins in a row, all coming by way of stoppage. Having such an impressive run, ‘The Duke’ would earn himself another world title opportunity.
However, he would be facing one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, George Foreman.
The former champion would also be coming back from a failed title attempt. Also in 1991, Foreman failed to dethrone Evander Holyfield, who retained his IBF, WBC, and WBA titles.
After the belt was vacated by Michael Moorer, Morrison and Foreman would get a chance to compete for the WBO World Heavyweight title.
In June 1993, in Las Vegas, Morrison, aged 24, faced Foreman, aged 44. The former champion was once again looking to reign supreme in the heavyweight division despite his age.
However, it was not to be for ‘Big George’. As Morrison used range in a more tactical approach, he had a convincing performance over the legend to win a unanimous decision.
Had Foreman of won the fight, he would have made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion of all time.
However, Foreman made history when he defeated Moorer the following year, claiming the title of oldest world heavyweight title holder, aged 45.
Tommy Morrison lost his heavyweight title four months after George Foreman victory
Although Morrison finally got his hands on a world title against Foreman, he would drop the belt later that year.
In October 1993, just four months after claiming the title, he was not able to defend the belt for a second time.
‘The Duke’ defeated Tim Tomashek in August of 1993 when Morrison fought the boxer straight from the crowd, defending his title.
However, his October bout with Michael Bentt would end differently. Losing via TKO in the opening round, Bentt would dethrone Morrison.
‘The Duke’ would continue to fight after the loss, going 10-1-1 in his final 12 fights.