31 years ago
Tommy Morrison vs George Foreman
Date: 7th June 1993
Venue: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Title: vacant WBO World Heavyweight Title
Promoter: Top Rank
Tv: TVKO
Tommy Morrison
(
36
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 226 lbs
George Foreman
(
72
-
3
-
0
)
Weight: 256 lbs
On June 7, 1993, the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted a pivotal bout in heavyweight boxing history as Tommy Morrison and George Foreman squared off for the vacant World Boxing Organization Heavyweight Title. The match, known as the Star-Spangled Battle, pitted the seasoned 44-year-old Foreman, a former WBC and WBA heavyweight champion, against the 24-year-old rising star Morrison in a clash that promised to redefine the heavyweight division's landscape.
The buildup to the fight was charged with anticipation as both fighters sought redemption. Foreman aimed to recapture glory following his narrow defeat to Evander Holyfield, while Morrison looked to rebound from his loss to Ray Mercer. Foreman, hinting at retirement, expressed his desire to conclude his illustrious career with a championship belt. Morrison, on the other hand, was determined to establish himself as a legitimate heavyweight contender.
Despite being billed as a confrontation between two of boxing's most formidable punchers, the fight unfolded as a tactical battle without either fighter scoring a knockdown. Foreman, the aggressor, pursued Morrison around the ring, but Morrison employed a strategy of constant movement, landing sharp punches before evading Foreman's robust responses. Though met with disapproval from Foreman's supporters, this approach proved effective. It allowed Morrison to secure a unanimous decision victory, with judges scoring the bout 117–110, 118–109, and Harold Lederman of HBO unofficially scoring it 116-111 in favour of Morrison.
Morrison's triumph earned him the WBO Heavyweight Championship, positioning him as a serious contender in the heavyweight ranks. Initially slated to face Michael Williams in a bout that mirrored their Rocky V characters, Morrison instead defended his title against Tim Tomashek after Williams withdrew. Morrison's plans for a showdown with WBC champion Lennox Lewis were derailed when he suffered a stunning first-round knockout loss to Michael Bentt. This defeat significantly altered the trajectory of his career.
Foreman, contemplating retirement, stayed out of the ring for over a year before making a historic comeback to challenge Michael Moorer for the WBA and IBF titles. In a dramatic turn of events, Foreman, trailing on the scorecards, delivered a devastating right hand in the 10th round that floored Moorer, securing Foreman's place in history as the oldest heavyweight champion.
Tommy Morrison vs George Foreman on YouTube
