Sylvester Stallone returned to star in the franchise that made him world famous “Rocky” in the 90s. That was how the American actor played a retired Rocky, who gave the baton to a young prodigy boxer in the fifth film of the saga.
To find the ideal actor for the role, Sylvester Stallone He looked for someone with the necessary physique. Finally the chosen person was Tommy Morrison, a 21-year-old who in real life was a professional boxer.
Sylvester Stallone He invited Tommy Morrison to be part of “Rocky V”. The Hollywood star was impressed with the young man’s talent, who had been fighting to earn money since he was 15 years old. But what happened to this young boxing promise? Here we tell you.
“Rocky V” is a 1990 American drama film, the fifth in the Rocky saga (Photo: United Artists)
WHAT HAPPENED TO TOMMY MORRISON FROM “ROCKY V”?
Tommy Morrison was an American heavyweight boxer. He rose to fame in 1990 when he participated in the movie “Rocky V”, along with actor Sylvester Stallone, playing boxer Tommy “The Machine” Gunn.
From then on, the name of Tommy Morrison gained much greater relevance in the world of boxing. Although he managed to win some important titles, the American athlete was characterized by having a life full of excesses, such as his taste for partying and drinking.
Tommy Morrison was crowned champion of the World Boxing Organization on June 7, 1993 against George Foreman. He then lost the title via first-round KO to Britain’s Michael Bentt.
Tommy Morrison was a famous American heavyweight boxer in the 90s (Photo: Getty Images)
Some time later, he lost the title again to Lennox Lewis. Later, he decided to retire from boxing after he tested positive for HIV in 1996.
However, after 11 years of inactivity, Morrison returned to the ring on February 22, 2007 in West Virginia. On that occasion he defeated John Castle by KO in the second round.
The following years, Tommy Morrison only played two more matches, in which he won. Later, due to his physical deterioration, he gradually disappeared from the sports scene.
In August 2013, US media reported that the boxer was seriously ill. He died on September 1 of that same year at his home due to respiratory acidosis and multiple organ failure, derived from HIV.
Rocky V is directed by John G. Avildsen and stars Sylvester Stallone (Photo: United Artists)
