Tommy Morrison died eleven years ago today. World Boxing News remembers ‘The Duke’ alongside his loyal wife Trish, who spoke exclusively to WBN.
The hard-hitting heavyweight will live long in the memory of boxing fans, not only for his ability to obliterate his opponents but for his charismatic appearance in the Rocky franchise.
Morrison would have turned 55 earlier this year, far too young to be taken away, as he was on September 1, 2013. Before his untimely passing, WBN contacted Tommy regularly to try to get his message across to the fans as he battled misinformation surrounding his career and condition.
Tommy’s widow, Trish, has since taken over that fight, keeping in regular contact with WBN to keep Tommy’s legacy alive. She has since proven many wrongful claims against Tommy that are not true.
As another year ticks by without her beloved husband, Trish is preparing for the release of a documentary in 2025 that promises to build on all the information World Boxing News has released on the Morrison’s behalf since 2010.
Trish told WBN, “It’s been 11 years since my husband Tommy passed away. I am truly grateful for the support, emails, texts, voicemails, prayers, and messages I have received worldwide all these years. We have carried each other daily for Tommy.
“So many good things have happened to keep Tommy’s name and legacy alive. We even celebrated Tommy’s life with a special Amateur Boxing Tournament, where kids learned about Tommy. I was able to hand those who attended Tommy’s negative drug test results, which he was so proud of!”
As Trish continues the fight to clear Tommy’s name to all those who still believe the negativity, it seems the message is getting across. As Trish informed WBN, Tommy has an official YouTube Channel with almost 5000 subscribers @officialchanneltommymorrison. Meanwhile, Tommy Morrison features in a new boxing video game, the first for years, alongside many of the top stars.
Through the official Instagram channels @tommy_gunnmorrison @tommy.trisha.morrison, Facebook TommyTrishaMorrison, and the X account @trisha_tommy, Trish features almost daily video clips and special photos and memories. There’s also a special online shop with lots of fantastic merchandise, where a percentage of the profits Trish receives go towards a cause dear to his heart—The Retired Boxers Fund.
Add to that the documentary ‘I am Tommy Morrison,’ which will tell the story from his side. ‘I am Tommy Morrison’ has been filming since 2023 and is currently slated to come out in 2025.
As Trish explained, it’s “his story—his life—how he lived and breathed it. Some absolutely amazing people from all walks of life are part of his life and death story.”
She added, “Most importantly, in the last 11 years following the Morrison vs NSAC/QUEST federal lawsuit- media are now finally reporting and acknowledging to the fans worldwide the existence of Tommy’s antemortem and postmortem pathology reports authored by experts in the field of virology and microbiology. Thank you, Dr.Gunter, Dr.Hinrichs, and Dr.Smith at Boston Mass. General Hospital and UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska, and also to Dr.Henry Soloway, the CEO of the Las Vegas Laboratory in 1996, for his signed affidavit.
“These reports scientifically confirm Tommy did not have any viral particles, no budding retroviruses, no abnormalities in his cells, bodily fluids, or organs. [A retrovirus is the scientific term for HIV, and no retroviruses were identified]. The media are now also reporting TOMMY’S test results, which came back negative for any of the AIDS diseases. Thank you to Dr.Bauman, Dr.Lele, Dr.Kozel, and Dr.Heasty, amongst others, for testing Tommy for those and ruling them out.”
The cause of death, which has been debated for years as Trish fights against the negativity of the hard-to-shake-off HIV stigma, is since well documented.
What many fans don’t know is that Tommy underwent horrific botched surgery back in 2011 and a heart surgery a month before he died.
Trish pointed out, “I was with Tommy until his last breath. Tommy’s cause of death was cardiac arrest, septic shock, septicemia, and multi-organ failure on September 1, 2013, at 11.50 pm.
“We all miss Tommy very much and the excitement he helped bring to the sport of boxing and the big screen in ROCKY V [which, for many, is now becoming a fan favorite!].”
She concluded, “Tommy deserves respect and to be remembered in a good way. I thank every person who has helped keep Tommy’s name and legacy alive.
“Tommy was a human being, and his life mattered. ‘Don’t Give Up On Me, My Love’ was the last written message he left me – I and his faithful fans will never give up on him.” – Trisha Morrison, Wife and widow to Tommy Morrison.
WBN would like to express our sorrow at Tommy’s passing in 2013 and our gratitude to Trish for continuing the fight. Tommy Morrison is a legend of our sport and fully deserves a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
