Heavyweight champion, ‘Rocky V’ actor Morrison dead at 44

The Associated Press

11 years ago

FILE – In this June 7, 1993 file photo, newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison receives his championship belt after defeating George Foreman in Las Vegas, Nev. Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who gained fame for his role in the movie "Rocky V," has died. He was 44. Morrison’s former manager, Tony Holden says his longtime friend died Sunday night, Sept. 1, 2013, at a Nebraska hospital. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

FILE – In this Feb. 15, 1996 file photo, heavyweight boxer Tommy Morrison, right, and promoter Tony Holden bow their heads during an emotional moment at a news conference about Morrison being HIV positive, in Tulsa, Okla. Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who gained fame for his role in the movie “Rocky V,” has died. He was 44. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File)

In this Feb. 20, 2007 photo provided by Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Center, Tommy Morrison is shown in Chester W.Va. Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who gained fame for his role in the movie “Rocky V,” has died. He was 44. (AP photo/Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Center, Charles Saus )

OMAHA, Neb. — Tommy Morrison, a former heavyweight champion who gained fame for his role in the movie “Rocky V,” has died. He was 44.

Morrison’s former manager, Tony Holden says his longtime friend died Sunday night at a Nebraska hospital. The family would not disclose the cause of death. Morrison tested positive for HIV in 1996.

In 1993, Morrison beat George Foreman to win the World Boxing Organization heavyweight title. He lost to Lennox Lewis in 1995.

Morrison was born in Arkansas and grew up in Oklahoma.