Remeber Chuck Liddell’s infamous appearance on that Texas morning news show? Yeah, the one where he appeared to be drugged but was just high on pain and cold medication? Well, remember how Chuck said he wanted to fight Tommy Morrison for his next fight? Looks like Tommy’s practicing… The World Fighting Championship announced today that Tommy Morrison will make his MMA debut on June 9 against 340lb. John Stover at the Cliff Castle Casino in Arizona. Personally, I doubt if this is anything more than a money-grab by Morrison and a promotional hype for the WFC.
May 10, 2007 - Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, one of the most intriguing boxers to even step into the squared circle, shocked the MMA world this week by announcing his intention to fight 340 lb. John Stover, an experienced cagefighter with 8 professional fights, on June 9, 2007 at the Cliff Castle Casino (www.cliffcastlecasino.net) in Arizona in Gino Carlucci’s World Fighting Championship (www.thewfc.com).
Morrison’s bombshell announcement comes over a decade after his previous bombshell announcement that rocked the boxing world that he had tested positive for AIDS. Morrison, however, has been symptom free for 10 years now and claims that he was the victim of a false positive test result. He recently started boxing again and was cleared to return to the ring by the West Virginia Athletic Commission after passing a battery of medical tests in Arizona, the results of which were forwarded to West Virginia.
Best known to the general public for his role as Tommy Gunn in Rocky V, Morrison was on top of the boxing world before a single test result in 1996 took it all away. But Morrison (46-3-1, 40 KOs) was no celluloid tiger and was a significant fighter and box office draw. George Foreman, for example, lost to only five fighters in his career and Morrison is one. Morrison also held a share of the heavyweight title on two occasions.
“I had just signed a three-fight deal with Don King,” Morrison recalls, “that was going to lead to showdown with Mike Tyson that was worth $38 million. My first fight was against Stormy Weathers in Las Vegas, but then came the test result and the fight was cancelled. I estimate that cost me around $100 million in fight purses over the past 10 years.”
Morrison was spurred to start cagefighting by an interview that Chuck Liddell gave on Good Morning Texas where Liddell called out Morrison and said he wanted to fight him. “I couldn’t believe that,” Morrison says. “It’s one thing to talk about fighting someone but another thing to actually do it. Let’s see if Chuck Liddell’s heart is as big as his mouth. He is crazy to want to get into the cage with me. I beat George Foreman. Nobody in the history of boxing hit harder than George Foreman. So why would I be afraid to get hit by Chuck Liddell? He should be the one to be afraid. Liddell has never been hit by anyone like me. Dana White always talks about how a top cagefighter like Liddell could beat a top boxer so here’s a chance to make it happen. I want to know if Liddell and Dana White really mean what they say or if they are just full of talk. I will take on Chuck Liddell anytime, anyplace, anywhere.”
Morrison’s first step in his mixed martial arts career will be followed and reported on around the world and “The Duke” is dead serious about his upcoming fight. “I’m really excited to be fighting in the WFC and I feel like a whole new world has been opened up to me. If you want to see the future of mixed martial arts then come to the Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde Arizona on June 9, 2007…because that future is me.”
For ticket and travel information for Tommy Morrison’s cagefighting debut go to www.thewfc.com and www.cliffcastlecasino.net. For all media requests contact Peter McKinn at 602-405-5661.
CHUCK WOULD WHOOP TOMMIES ***
This sounds awesome…but the guy has AIDS. Who would have the balls to mix it up with this guy on the ground and risk getting infected? How does a guy say he was the victim of a false positive test? has he not been tested 100% AIDS free recently? it doesn’t make any sense.
BTW, anyone here about Dana offering “Pretty Boy Floyd” up to maybe even over $10million to fight Sean Sherk?
@Amir,
I don’t think Morrison ever actually had AIDS. He tested positive for HIV just like Magic Johnson did, but just because you have the HIV virus doesn’t mean you have AIDS yet.
Magic has since been tested again numerous times and his body is now free from the HIV virus. Looks like Tommy has also been tested recently several times and has been HIV free during those tests.
LMFHAO!
new low for MMA….
Tommy Gunn better learn some grappling. I can’t believe Morisson wants to fight MMA. You would think there’s more money for him in boxing. It might be the first time Chuck is looking to take someone down instead of avoiding it. I think this is just hype also but it would be an interesting fight.
Just one more azclown trying to ride on Chucks train.
I can almost hear, “Gonna Fly Now”…
DR J HOW THE HELL IS THAT POSSIBLE ITS HIV IT NEVER GOES AWAY LOL?
AMIR ITS CLEARLY PERFECT THERE IS A CURE FOR THE VIRUS
@PATRICK,
That is a common misconception, but with enought money and medication the HIV virus can be brought into remission and be absent from the bloodstream. It takes a lot of medication up front and a large daily dosage of various pills every day for the rest of your life, but it is possible.
NOT TO MENTION THERE IS SOME SPECULATION AROUND THE ACCURACY OF THE TEST BEFORE. BOXING HAS KIND OF A DARK UNDERWORLD FULL OF LIES AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE SCREWED WITH THE TEST. I KNOW ITS A LONG SHOT, BUT SO WAS GONZAGA KNOCKING OUT CRO COP WITH A HEADKICK.
AHAHAHAH i think dennis said it best.. this guys an azzz clown pure and simple.. Chuck wont get HIV from Tommy cuz he would only azz rape him figuratively.. not literally…
2 fights on TUF tonight yall.. im interested to see what Corey can do, from what ive heard he has very little skill LOL, its not enough just to be a beast..
Me too, Hill was one of the final four that I picked before the first episode….
Hill, Joe, Nate, Manny
final two….
Nate, Manny
Final one….
Nate
i dunno, we still havent seen what gray can do, all the fighters respect him, and he was bjs first pick. I would put him up in the final four, i like manny, hes a little pitbull, but i dont think thats enough either..
I have personally met and sat down with Tommy Morrison about 9 years ago, he came to one of my football games in High School. He is a jerk. Very arrogant, very rude, very mean, and thinks he can whoop anyone. He is simply looking for a big payday because he is getting old quickly, and boxing doesn’t have the nerve to put this guy on T.V. just yet, so his promoter is trying to grab the attention of the 18-34 male anglo group and set up a ppv of “the boxer” vs “the mma champ” .. and in the process he make a few million and goes from foodstamps back to steak… done…. using Chuck and the UFC as a catapult, I do think he would fare descent with Chuck as Chuck is a striker, and Tommy can hit like a truck, but I think in the end, Chuck would head kick him and knock him out.. would be entertaining to watch, c’mon guys, watching Chuck shut the great white hope up… you have to admit you would pay to see it! Guilty pleasure!
“Gonna Fly Now”…..
@BV
Gray would be my fifth pick…
Hill did look rough last night though…I was disappointed.
This is one case where Rob looked better, and seemed to want it more, but just didn’t have what it takes to get inside Hill’s reach.
I know!
Maybe Tommy Gunn could sign up for TUF 6! That could be the theme……
16 - washed-out boxers
1 - 6 figure contract
no shoes, no pillows, just bone on bone in the octagon!
Yea i would pay and i think other audiences would pay too!! To see who is better the mma guy or the striker. I think they should hype it all up and make it a mega event, i mean we all know what the outcome would be maybe a knockout from chuck. Or put tommy on the tuff 6 that WOULD be interesteing. He would probably be on the show talking trash the whole time and get kicked off a team and have his own team…tommy team, and fight the whole dang house!!!! lol since he thinks he is SOOOO good.
YOYOYO
ANYONE CATCH UFC 5 LAST NIGHT….. M
MAN JOE LAUZON IS A FOOKING ANIMAL…
AND COREY HILL WILL NOT GO TO THE FINALS HE SUCKS ***
Joe is an animal……. I can’t wait to see him fight again….
Joe will beat Corey if they meet…..
Nate will beat Joe.
I SEE IT BEING JOE AND NATE…..
I could see that happening also, but I picked Manny at the beginning of the season because he trains with and is Karo’s couzin.
@PAT, YEA I SEEN IT, JOE IS A BEAST, I DIDNT THINK HE WAS THAT GOOD BUT AFTER LAST NIGHT HE GOT MY VOTE TO GO TO THE FINALS, AND WTF IS COREY’S FIGHTING STANCE? THAT LOOKS LIKE CAPOEIRA MIXED WITH SOME SORT OF DINGY FIGHTING STYLE!! LOL, HE IS HORRIBLE, HE THREW LIKE A TOTAL OF LIKE 20 JABS, IT WAS LIKE HE WAS SCARED TO ENGAGE IN THE FIGHT. I DONT THINK HE WON THAT MATCH EITHER.
DENNIS JUST CUZ SOMEONE TRAINS WITH SOMEONE BIG DONT MEAN ****
YEA I WANT JOE TO BEAT THE BRAKES OFF OF COREY, HE IS A BUZZARD!!! HOW IN THE HELL DID DANA LET HIM ON THE SHOW WITH NO MMA BACKGROUND? RUNNING AROUND IN HIS FRUIT OF THE LOOMS AND WRESTLING WITH HIS LITTLE COUSIN IN COLORADO DOES NOT COUNT AND OBVIOUSLY DANA DIDNT CARE AND THOUGHT THAT IS WAS. IM ASHAMED TO LIVE AND BE FROM COLORADO SEEING COREY ON THERE REPRESENTING. LOL
TODD
AGREED I THINK SO TO….I DONT THINK HE WON THAT MATCH EITHER…. I THINK JOE COULD BEET NATE BOYS…. WE SHALL SEE
I MISSED THAT SHOW WITH NATE FIGHTING, IS HE ANY GOOD LIKE HIS BROTHER?
LOL COREY SUCKS ***
I like what Jens said….”I’m glad Joe’s good, that means I didn’t get beat by a biitch”
LOL
THAT WAS SO FUNNY …. JENS LOL BEAT BY A *****
Now don’t be too tough on Corey….he did pretty good for someone without any MMA background at all.
Just think if he did have formal training and 8 victories!
SORRY DENNIS BUT HES SUCKS ***
Liddell via KO- 2:45 Round 1
Any other UFC LHW- KO or Submission, 3:00 Round 1
Well i guess he did do good, standing up. If he works on his standup and becomes just a little more aggressive he would be a beast. I think he should utilize that mui tai clinch he would be great, he couldave knocked out ol guy if he wouldave stuck with the knees.
MAYBE YES
@Todd
You’re right, he could have KO’d Rob in the first round!
Corey won that fight…..Rob won the second round only.
Rob threw more strikes, but landed less.
Corey through less jabs, but almost every one landed.
Rob backed away from Corey the whole third round…
As someone said Rob fought “not to lose”
This is exactly the kind of talent Dana should be looking for.
Put Corey in the Militech camp, and see what happens in just a few months!
MAYBE
@ Dr. J,
I hear what your saying about the distinction between HIV and AIDS, I am in the health field and to me they are practically one and the same. Regardless, if an HIV or AIDS cure has been found, I still haven’t heard of it. And, would you get into the cage with a guy that tested + for it?
i thought it was a bit nuts on last weeks show hill didnt even know who jeremy horn is. anyone claiming to be a pro mma fighter that doesnt know who horn is needs to be questioned right away. it kinda make me wonder how he got picked for the show because i know they ask you to submit tapes of fights you have had. oh well if he does well in this season maybe he will turn out to be one hell of a fighter someday with the help of a good camp.
Hill lied to get on the show, (8-0) but Dana said that he researched Hill’s background, and found out that he had absolutely no experience, but had a good feeling about him, so he let him in anyway.
…and I also think he has potential.
I don’t want to be in the same room with a guy like that….call it what you will.
@Amir,
No I’m not saying I would ever get sporting match with Morrison or Magic or anyone else who has tested positive for HIV. It’s not worth the risk to me.
It really comes down to what they call their “viral load.” For Morrison and Magic Johnson, their viral load is virtually non-existent during recent testing. The higher the viral load, the more serious the condition, of course.
hill is a buzzard!!!! But living in colorado, like him, i hope he does ok even tho im ashamed, lol
HILL SUCKS
HE CAN EAT MY ***…. ANY AVERAGE JOE CAN GO IN THERE
AND PERFORM JUST LIKE HE DID…. PSSSSH PLEASE
THE ONLY AND I MEAN ONLY REASON THEY LET HIM IN IS
CUZ HE IS A UNIQUE 155 LB FIGHTER THATS ALL… HE EVEN SAID THAT
yea true,well i dont think hell win this series, and he sure as hell dont need no title shot right now because he might get the breaks beat off of him! i not saying he cant BECOME good but not right now i dont see him doing nothing big.
YEA TODD AGREED
@Pat
I gotta disagree with you there bro…you said about Hill that. “ANY AVERAGE JOE CAN GO IN THERE AND PERFORM JUST LIKE HE DID”
Rob Emerson’s style is the Marco Ruas Vale Tudo. He’s won six fights, (2 technical knockouts, 1 submission and 3 decisions).
For a nobody, with no experience, to hang in with Rob…is an accomplishment.
Corey doesnt know how to fight, pure and simple, hes just a guy who is 6′4 and can make 155. Give him 2 years with a great training camp and he could become a beast.
I want to see Gray fight, hes rumored to be the best grappler of this season. If thats true, id pick him to win.. str8 up.
i dont give a flyin FU*CK if someone has HIV i aint gonna fight him
I can’t help but think this whole Liddell / Morrison thing is manufactured. First, Morrison is still signed with Top Rank - they are NOT part of any MMA event. But . . . if it is true Liddell had better get things on the ground because if he stays on his feet he will get his head removed by the best left hooks in the history of boxing.
I would seriously pay to see a Liddell / Morrison match… it would be super entertaining.. gotta say I hope it happens..
FUNNY HOW THERE IS NO WORD FROM THE LIDDELL CAMP ON THIS! TOMMY IS 245lbs of muscle, have you guys seen him lately? He would kill Chuck, I am sorry but 205 vs 245 and Tommy has one of the best left hooks in boxing. He beat George Foreman, he was like in all those toughman contests and he can take a hit, I don’t think Chuck has the power to put away a guy as big as Morrison, and I think that this whole MMA stunt Morrison is putting on is a gimmick to get Chuck in the Octagon, seriously, and I think unless Chuck goes to the ground, it would be Tommy as the winner…
I remember when Tommy was supposed to fight for the heavy weight championship of the world (boxing of-course). Being from OK, I remember it well… He faught in Tulsa, OK and got knocked out by a “rumored” walk over. Tommy then got diagnosed with AIDS and just recently was cleared. Talk about CRAPY luck. I would sue the doctor. But what was he thinking anyway (Tommy that is)…
damn brian long time no read
yea your right about that Kansas, Tommy is huge, and he does have a good left hook.. BUT, this is a mma match bro. Imagine how Tommy is accustomed to defending himself with boxing gloves covering up an everything. Hes got terrible movement cuz hes such a big guy, then you got the Kicks, hes never had a guy trying to kick him. Imagine chuck starts chopping at his legs, or even throws a high kick out of nowhere. Then you got the ground game, i just think there are too many variables that are foreign to tommy.
If the just rush to the center and start throwing, ofcourse tommy has the advantage, but you think chuck would do that?? hehe
Str8 up i would bet on chuck in that matchu up.. str8 up, plus chucks not going into that fight at 205 either bro, he be atleast 225.
I agree tho it would be interesting to see hehe. Why dont they just have tommy fight against bob sapp? then if hes still standing he can take his chances with tougher competition..
@BV
Better yet, let him fight Bob Sagat, see if he can get through him..LOL… seriously though, I respect your thoughts, good points, I still think that Tommy has a better chance than Babalu Sobral, or Tito Ortiz lol ..
bvrasp u dont really like bob sapp he doesnt have a chin and to be honest he doesnt have ko power put it this way sherk vs sapp sherk all the way
and chuck probably would stand there and try to stand with him
LOL lets put it this way, i dont think Sapp has and skills or stamina as a fighter, but no KO power?? you must be kidding bro hehe. he IS the beast, and really thats where i would put Tommy, on or below bobs level… atleast bob can kick hehe
alright he has ko power and imagine if he were focused he really would be a beast i like to call guys like that BIG FOR NOTHING
how bout, Fujita? or Hunt, or even Tom Erikson, Tommy has a punchers chance against anyone, just like sap. Sht who COULD Tommy beat? Coleman? Herring? Monson?
Somebody name a heavyweight who you think Tommy could beat in an MMA match..
Kansas you gotta know what the striking difference is between mma gloves and boxing gloves.. Forget about power, what about the defense? you cant cover up like in boxing and Tommy has no movement.. as richard said, big for nothing..
Gonzaga… Tommy should fight Gonzaga, the guy would kill Tommy, how embarrassing, that would send him back to boxing where he belongs.. lol
oh man! Gonzaga is WAAAY out of his league.. im thinking something more like Cabbage or butterbean maybe..