On October 7, 1995, prime heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Tommy Morrison clashed on the Atlantic Metropolis Conference Heart for Morrison’s IBC belt, although the title was a minor formality for 2 fighters who had skilled larger ranges of success — and failure. The showdown of hard-punching heavyweights was a thudding six spherical battle and a real crossroads match that successfully outlined the futures of each Lennox and “The Duke.” For Lewis, it proved to be a formidable efficiency that jump-started his reclamation of dominance. For Morrison, it was the final vital bout of his profession, which might quickly be derailed by a weird well being odyssey.
At 45-2-1, Morrison had a wealth of ring expertise by this time. He had received the vacant WBO title in his bout with a 45-year-old George Foreman in 1993, solely to lose it in his second protection in opposition to Michael Bentt. He rebounded with seven wins previous to his bout with Lewis, his final an exciting six spherical stoppage over Razor Ruddock. As that battle proved, ‘‘The Duke,’’ together with his vaunted left hook, remained a severe problem for any heavyweight.
Additionally an ex-champion, the 27-1 Lewis was two wins faraway from his surprising 1994 loss to Oliver McCall. He had surrendered his WBC belt in that defeat, and on his subsequent path to redemption beat relative unknowns Lionel Butler and Justin Fortune. The McCall loss hadn’t forged doubt on Lewis’ expertise, merely his chin and focus, and whereas it will be a gradual climb again to heavyweight eminence, a win in opposition to Morrison would expedite the ascent. Coach Emanuel Steward nonetheless believed in Lewis, asserting he may beat any heavyweight on the planet inside eight rounds.
Morrison had no illusions over who was the higher boxer. He acknowledged Lewis’ superior technical ability previous to the battle, admitting that to have any probability of successful he needed to get on the within to land his massive hook. This may show tough. Within the first two rounds the taller Lewis established his jab and constantly stored Morrison on the tip of his longer punches. Halfway by means of the second Tommy tried to bull his method inside however took a well-timed counter left hook for his hassle that compelled him to 1 knee and opened a reduce on the nook of his proper eye. A lot for getting on the within.
In spherical three it was clear the knockdown had discouraged Morrison and he was diminished to feebly gesturing whereas out of punching vary and consuming jab after jab. In opposition to Foreman, he had fought cleverly, slipping punches earlier than transferring contained in the bigger man’s attain, however in opposition to the faster Lewis he remained a timid goal.
By the fourth his left eye had begun to swell up, making his scenario extra determined, and by the fifth it turned evident to all that Morrison had no probability of successful. Along with his imaginative and prescient diminished by the swellings round his eyes, the one hope left was a fortunate shot on Lewis’ chin which, given how properly Lennox was boxing, was no hope in any respect. On the finish of the spherical, Lewis linked with what Jim Lampley termed a ‘monumental uppercut’ that despatched Morrison down once more. ‘The Duke’ survived to listen to the bell and between rounds was requested whether or not he may proceed. ‘I’ve nonetheless bought my hook,’ he stated.
A collection of jabs floored Tommy once more within the sixth and whereas, as within the two earlier knockdowns, Morrison rose instantly, the distinction now was that his eyes had been virtually swollen shut. A thunderous left hook scored knockdown quantity 4 and referee Mills Lane stopped the battle. Larry Service provider referred to as Lewis’ efficiency ‘good,’ and it was tough to argue: his impeccable protection, exact jab, spectacular ring consciousness and great energy had been proof that he had, like by no means earlier than, put all of it collectively.
The next February, Morrison examined constructive for HIV, which successfully ended his profession. His life turned a tragic and sordid story. Over the subsequent decade he confronted varied expenses for weapons offences, automotive accidents, narcotics and a number of DUI arrests. Lewis in the meantime went on to win extra world titles and earn hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in battles with Hasim Rahman, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko. It’s virtually as if Lewis vs Morrison had been not a lot a prizefight however one thing way more profound, a contest to find out who within the years forward would win Fortune’s favour, and who can be its wretch.
Morrison lengthy denied he had HIV, claiming his check outcomes had been false positives. His well being stated in any other case, and in an interview with ESPN in late August, 2013, Morrison’s mom stated that her son, who had been bedridden for nearly a 12 months and was experiencing extreme organ failure, had “full blown AIDS”. His bodily degeneration was an extremely unhappy conclusion to a life of accomplishment, combustion, and recklessness. Every week after the ESPN article appeared Morrison succumbed to his illness. He was 44-years-old.
— Eliott McCormick
