Morrison vs. Foreman, an underrated war.

It's "wary" not "weary".

Morrison was humiliated in his homecoming fight by the supposed soft touch, Bentt. The rest of his career was spent fighting non-entities (one of which, Purrity, almost again upset his applecart) for the chance he received in getting thrashed by Lewis.

 

No version of Morrison beats Holyfield or Lewis. I don’t think he ever beats Mercer either. However, he was better in the Foreman match by a lot than the version that did end up fighting Lewis. It may be pure speculation but I believe the HIV began to affect Tommy by time he finally fought Lewis. Either that or the partying really caught up to him. He had no stamina in that bout and a lot of the snap he used to have was gone. He was straight up sluggish in that bout. Looking back I’m not surprised he tested positive for his next bout.

 

Might have been a good idea to duck Mercer and Lewis's punches like he did against Foreman.

This has to be considered Morrison's best fight and should be given credit for it. Even an old Foreman could hit and hit hard.
Ask Moorer about his power.

 

The myth of Morrison running all night in this fight and taking zero risks has gathered momentum over the years, but as the original post says it's not really accurate. He did go a bit overly negative in rounds 10-12 at times, even turning his back on a couple of occasions, but by that point he was protecting a big lead and had no real reason to take chances.

For the most part he just fought a smart fight. Used the jab and movement but wasn't afraid to punch with Foreman when he had to, particularly between rounds 7 and 9 which were quite good to watch. Basically fought the kind of fight which Moorer should have fought against granddad George a year or so later...

 

I think Seamus is right. Because of Morrison's poor chin and stamina, I don't think he could beat really anyone significant in the 90s. Aside from the ones aforementioned, Larry would have outboxed him, McCall was WAY too tough and powerful, and Golota probably could have even beaten him. Michael Grant would have thrashed him, since we know he takes a shot well. Even Moorer and Cooper who have sometimes been labeled as chinny would probably outlast Morrison. I would even go so far as to say that 90s Witherspoon would beat him as well. Who knows, maybe Morrison would beat Bruce "Dive King" Seldon. 1st round KO.

 

I know! Anyone who was around back in the day knew!

He had his chance.

He had his chance against Bentt, also.

Morrison was handled as cautiously as possible. Mercer was his first legit test. Joe Hipp wasn't supposed to be much of a test but it sure turned out that way. As did Bentt, as did Purrity.

He figured out a way to get a decision over a geriatric Foreman. I'll give him credit for that... even tho I'm not totally convinced he won.

A lot of "ifs" in your support of Tommy. He was a tight fighter who burned nervous energy behind almost robotic fight plans. When things didn't follow form, he got winded and off track.

Tommy DID have good power and he DID possess heart (the Hipp win proved that in abundance). But he just wasn't championship material in the end. He was missing a few parts of the equation. He wasn't always well conditioned. He didn't have the stoutest chin. He didn't know how to relax in the ring. He wasn't very fluid or elusive. He believed too much in his power.

 

Morrison had his best ever training camp (his words) for this fight. He went to Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA for his training. For those who know where this is, you would know that it would have been hard for him to get in trouble here. Or, at least harder, anyway.

 

And Cayton,not Clayton.

 

Prime Holmes, Foreman, Tyson, Ali, Liston, and Frazier would have knocked the crap out of Morrison on his best day. I personally think 90s Holmes and Tyson would have beat him as well.

Just my opinion, no offense meant to Tommy fans.

 

Morrison with 28 fights under his belt was stopped by17 fight Mercer.