/ CBS New York. Interest-Based Ads. The former boxing champion and actor, Tommy Morrison, died at 44 years old. But Tommy We are reminded that Rocky really isnt a boxer but a street fighter, a former loan sharks collector who is more comfortable in an alley than in the ring. Morrison's license was quickly suspended in 1996 by Nevada after his positive HIV test, and the ban was, in effect, upheld by every other sanctioning body. At the time of his death, . Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison died in an Omaha, Neb., hospital late Sunday night. Now when she tells Rocky not to fight, she isnt just the least-inspiring archetype in film history, but someone who actually understands that poverty and family beat wealth and brain damage any day. Morrison died Sunday night at a Nebraska hospital, said Tony Holden, his longtime promoter and close friend. Sylvester Stallone was impressed by the young contenders attitude and willingness to learn the acting business. Tommy Morrison most definitely hit harder than Mike Tyson. After Tommy Gunn has been dispatched, Rocky walks up to the nefarious George Washington Duke, violence in his eyes. Maybe like a quick R.I.P. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet, " they said. "That's the way Tommy took off after he was told he was HIV-positive," Holden added. Morrison had tested positive for the HIV virus. Morrison died on Sunday evening in a Nebraska hospital and was reported to TMZ by . He also starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the film Rocky V, playing Tommy 'The Machine' Gunn. It erupts every time you see 12-year-old Sage Stallone, who died last year at the age of 36, playing a character trying to escape his fathers shadow. Weathers actually looked like he knew what he was doing in the ring and moved pretty well. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. (Carl Weathers still kicks ass.) In 1993, Morrison beat George Foreman to win the WBO heavyweight title, only to lose it to unheralded Michael Bentt in a defeat that scuttled a showdown with Lennox Lewis. Morrison, who also starred with Sylvester Stallone as boxer Tommy Gunn in "Rocky V," lost immediately after beating Foreman, and was defeated again by Lennox Lewis in 1995. I'm sure if what Stallone is saying makes sense. Tommy "The Duke" Morrison was a rising boxing star in the late 1980s into the early 1990s who famously held a version of the World Boxing Championship, defeating George Foreman. Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison died in an Omaha, Neb., hospital late Sunday night. He also dealt with weapons charges and multiple DUI incidents over the years. I figured he could have been one of Rockys trainers. MGM / United Artists. I'll be back.". And it was heartbreaking.. Rocky V is nobody's favorite Rocky movie.Even Sylvester Stallone regrets it, telling The Sun (via Express) "it was a mistake.'Stallone redeemed his trademark franchise 16 years later with . Updated Mar 15, 2021 at 11:19pm. " He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. ", You May Also Be Interested In These Stories, (TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. Morrison indeed came back, but he was never the same feared fighter. Updated Morrison's lifestyle caused his star to tumble and a failed HIV (After 12 hours of Rocky, I think I was on the floor.). It was too dark, the Hollywood superstar told Variety Magazine in 2019. The cause of his death is currently unknown and may be a cause of contention for quite some time. . Morrison fought twice more in his career, winning once in West Virginia and for the final time in Mexico. Morrison won the WBO heavyweight title in 1993, He played Tommy "Machine" Gunn in "Rocky V", The fighter died in Omaha with his wife by his side. There are a million fighters out there who would kill to be in my position. I kinda feel sorry for Tommy for not being enough mentioned nor credit given by Sly and the rest of the Rocky crew. The undercurrent of tragedy in the film is like nothing save seeing River Phoenix stand up to Kiefer Sutherland in Stand by Me. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Morrison was in line for a high-profile bout with Lewis when he was upset by Bentt in Tulsa, Okla., not far from where Morrison was raised. I saw Rocky V the day it came out, the last part of a Rocky quintuple-feature at Loews 84th St. Cinema, and half the crowd walked out jeering and half were literally standing on their seats. . Its one of the series of the popular Rocky films starring Sylvester Stallone, who played boxer Rocky Balboa. And he did. This is a Rocky whose mental incapacitation leads him to bouts of grandiosity and temper tantrums, leaving him a hero in his old hood but a stranger to his 12-year-old son. Stallone believes this pushed the movie out of sync with the others. His career reached its apex in the summer of 1993 with a unanimous decision over Foreman, then in the midst of his comeback, to claim a vacant title. early 1990s who famously held a version of the World Boxing Feeding your curiosity of monsters, haunted houses, murder, death, UFOs, fear, history, society, and more. Featured. Gunn goes on to win the heavyweight title and then later fights and loses to his mentor. Morrison won his first 28 professional fights, beating faded champions such as . , bloodthirsty race driver named "Machine Gun Joe Viterbo" in the Roger Corman-produced Death Race 2000 (1975). age of 44 in 2013. "Tommy's a very stubborn person and he views things the way he wants to view things. When he was released, Morrison said his HIV tests had resulted in false positives, and he wanted to resume his career. Tommy Morrison could act and was not to blame for the failure of Rocky V. It was only surprising that he didnt work more before his career was taken away. Tommy Morrison, who displayed his hard-hitting boxing style as a protege of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa in the 1990 movie Rocky V and defeated George Foreman to . Checking in at a Police Academy 2esque 27 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, I would defy someone to watch it two decades after its release and not feel the rush of high drama, low camp, and tragic realism that courses through the film. Tommy "The Duke" Morrison (January 2, 1969 - September 1, 2013) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2008, and held the WBO heavyweight title in 1993. Tommy Morrison could act and was not to blame for the failure of Rocky V. It was only surprising that he didnt work more before his career was taken away. "It's one of those situations you have to live with and learn from it. So when he fights Tommy Morrison in the movie, Rocky says, I cant beat you in the ring, but Ill beat you in the street.. Sylvester Stallone Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is 'Alive And Well'. That was Tommy. test effectively ended his boxing career despite the fact that He had already run afoul of the law in 1993, when he pleaded guilty to assaulting a college student. Morrison tested positive for HIV in a test conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 1996, bringing an end to his top-level career. Morrison would fight Lewis a couple of years later, getting knocked out in the sixth round in Atlantic City, N.J. Morrison, nicknamed "The Duke," never reached the status of such contemporaries as Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, but it was surely a full career. Tommy "The Duke" Morrison was a rising boxing star in the late 1980s into the early 1990s who famously held a version of the World Boxing Championship, defeating George Foreman. He was sentenced to two years in prison in 2000, and another year was added to his sentence in 2002 for violating parole. All the other opponents were great fighters with balls - Rocky could respect that have cordial relations with them in the years that followed, much like he did with Apollo. But Tommy Morrison's lifestyle caused his star to tumble and a failed HIV test effectively ended his boxing career despite the fact that Morrison protested and denied having HIV or AIDS up to his death at age of 44 in 2013. The collaboration with Sylvester Stallone in John G. Avildsen's Rocky V became the peak of his popularity. Tommy Morrison also got a break in acting by appearing as the character Tommy "The Machine" Gunn in Sylvester Stallone's 1990 Rocky V movie. Its a tragic end but it produced something that demands a second look. Morrison's longtime promoter, Tony Holden, said Morrison died at 11:50 p.m. with his wife, Trisha, beside him. I know I can. Along with the stinging defeat, Morrison saw a potential $7.5 million payday for a title unification fight against Lewis wash away. He would then be fighting for his reputation until his untimely death. It all comes down to this: Can I fight? appreciated. His lifestyle never changed, though, even when he stepped away from the ring. Morrison said at a news conference he'd never fight again, blaming his plight on a "permissive, fast and reckless lifestyle.". Morrison died this week, and the full story of his time after his 1996 HIV diagnosis, as chronicled by Elizabeth Merrill, is devastating. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Children's Online Privacy Policy are applicable to you. Morrison . (CBSNewYork/AP) TommyMorrison, the former heavyweight champion who stood toe-to-toe with Lennox Lewis and George Foreman and later tested positive for HIV, died Monday. Morrison won the WBO title by outpointing George Foreman in 1993. Yes, I can. Tommy "The Duke" Morrison was a rising boxing star in the late 1980s into the early 1990s who famously held a version of the World Boxing Championship, defeating George Foreman. #4. Morrison tested positive for HIV in 1996 before a fight with Arthur Weathers, effectively ending his boxing career. The Duke was utterly believable as big-punching white hope who conquered the boxing world and called out his ex-trainer in Stallone. But rewatching it today, theres one presence in the film who unites the high drama, low camp, and tragic undercurrent: boxer Tommy Morrison, making his debut as up-and-coming fighter Tommy Machine Gunn. There's no one with that talent today. He later claimed the test was a 'false positive', and returned to the ring for a short comeback in 2007. Tommy Morrison blameless for Sylvester Stallones Rocky V bomb, Follow experienced boxing writer Phil Jay on Twitter, Xander Zayas ready to kick on in 2023 ahead of fight return, Mexican bantamweight Gael Cabrera signs with Golden Boy, Heaney relishes Flatley rematch on March 25, Christian Mbilli vs Carlos Gongora undercard set for March 23, Training injury puts super middleweight contenders life in danger, Conor Benn shares eggsplosive fact on WBC rating reinstatement. . It was far removed from Rocky I, II, III, and IV, where Stallone played the hero and won battles inside the ropes. Tommy Morrison, a former heavyweight boxing champion who starred in the Rocky V film, died, his former promoter told CNN. Morrison, who gained fame for his role in the movie "Rocky V," has died. Morrison went on to say that he didnt in fact have HIV. Before winning his only world title, Morrison shot to fame as art imitated life. He was 44. With only one previous acting credit two years before in They Live as an extra, Morrison would only grace screens once more. He passed medical tests in Arizona even as Nevada stood by its decision and returned to the ring. Gunn in Sylvester Stallone's 1990 Rocky V movie. Stallone subsequently cast Morrison as 'Tommy Gunn' in Rocky V. Although it wasn't as big a success as the first four films, Morrison was just happy to be part of the franchise. The former WBO champion was a classic puncher and in Rocky V he throws hands in the ring like hes trying to knock down the walls of heaven. Dolph Lundgren looks like a ham-and-egger compared to Morrison; Mr. T, a WWE sideshow. The former world heavyweight champion remains sorely missed nine years and more after his tragic passing at the age of 44. He was 44. Did Deontay Wilder predict his capitulating Tyson Fury knockout? Follow experienced boxing writer Phil Jay on Twitter @PhilJWBN. Dave Zirin (@edgeofsports) is the sports editor at The Nation. Follow experienced boxing writer Phil Jay on Twitter @PhilJWBN. It involves the legendary Burgess Meredith clearly close to shedding his mortal coil, as Mickey, giving Rocky advice from beyond the grave. In other words, we should consider ourselves lucky that Roger Goodell hasnt seized the film negatives and had them destroyed. 5:07 PM EDT, Mon September 2, 2013. Boxer Tommy Morrison dead at 44: Was featured opposite Sylvester Stallone in 'Rocky V' and had boxing career ruined by HIV-positive status Boxer Tommy Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who was featured opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 sequel Rocky V, and who made headlines after it was revealed that he was HIV-positive, died. That was 1990, so for almost 15 years, I was pretty well cooked.. I recall reading this too. He was 44. . Did Stallone ever say anything about Morrison's death? I think Ill do all right.. Can I act? Tommy Morrison blameless for Sylvester Stallones Rocky V bomb, Follow experienced boxing writer Phil Jay on Twitter, Xander Zayas ready to kick on in 2023 ahead of fight return, Mexican bantamweight Gael Cabrera signs with Golden Boy, Heaney relishes Flatley rematch on March 25, Christian Mbilli vs Carlos Gongora undercard set for March 23, Training injury puts super middleweight contenders life in danger, Conor Benn shares eggsplosive fact on WBC rating reinstatement. break in acting by appearing as the character Tommy "The Machine" This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. You see in Tommy Gunn all of the stubbornness, pride, anger, and poor choices that defined Tommy Morrison during the last years of his life. (CBSNewYork/AP) Tommy Morrison, the former heavyweight champion who stood toe-to-toe with Lennox Lewis and George Foreman and later tested positive for HIV, died Monday. He would then be fighting for his reputation until his untimely death. "I zigged when I should have zagged," Morrison said afterward. All Rights Reserved. OMAHA, Neb. This is a film ahead of its time. Every Rocky had been more successful than the last, and then it just plummeted. In Sylvester Stallone's original script for Rocky 5, Rocky is killed during his brutal street fight with Tommy Gunn and dies in Adrian's arms. This is a humbled, bankrupt, deeply damaged Rocky getting brain scans that show the kind of cognitive impairment few discussed back in 1990. All Rights Reserved. Morrison played the character Tommy "Machine" Gunn in "Rocky V," made in 1990. But for all intents and purposes, he died of denial. On claiming the role, Morrison said in 1990: I understand Im being presented with an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime. He also got his break in acting by appearing as the character Tommy "The Machine" Gunn in Sylvester Stallone's 1990 Rocky V. But, Morrison's lifestyle caused his star to tumble and a failed HIV . Behind the scenes . It's one of the series of the popular Rocky films starring Sylvester Stallone, who played boxer Rocky Balboa. In recent years, he claimed that the HIV test produced a false positive. I don't see why Rocky would want to associate with him again after his treachery in 5. Boxer Tommy Morrison dead at 44: Was featured opposite Sylvester Stallone in 'Rocky V' and had boxing career ruined by HIV-positive status Boxer Tommy Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who was featured opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 sequel Rocky V, and who made headlines after it was revealed that he was HIV-positive, died . I witnessed it. All rights reserved. Morrison (also no stranger to real-life brawling) and Avildsen give us a scene so far removed from the slick polish of Rocky defeats Communism or Rocky defeats Scary Mohawked Black Man that it is bracing. The Rocky movies all started with Sylvester Stallone, which became a cultural phenomenon. Please enter valid email address to continue. This wasnt the case in five. And then he started research on the Internet and started saying it was a conspiracy. A little off topic but according to these records, Tommy had HIV back in 88/89. Time in Mexico his wife, Trisha, beside him he wants to view things series of popular. To win the heavyweight title and then he started research on the Internet and started saying was... Comes down to this: Can i fight changed, though, even when was... The boxing world and called out his ex-trainer in Stallone Tyson Fury knockout series of the popular Rocky starring! Edt, Mon September 2, 2013 West Virginia and for the final time in Mexico died night... 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